Abia Inaugurates Committee To Implement Okon Aku-Ohafia White Paper

The Abia State Government has inaugurated an Implementation Committee to oversee the execution of the Government White Paper on the Okon Aku-Ohafia crisis, as part of efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in the community.

The committee was inaugurated on Thursday, November, by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Uzor Nwachukwu, who also chairs the committee.

Addressing members after the inauguration, Dr. Nwachukwu recalled that the crisis, which occurred on January 2 and 3, 2026, resulted in the alleged killing of one person, the bombing of houses and the displacement of residents from the community.

He explained that Governor Alex Otti’s administration promptly intervened through security agencies to restore order and subsequently constituted an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, which investigated the incident over several months before submitting its report.

“The state government carefully examined the panel’s findings and issued a White Paper containing specific directives aimed at resolving the issues and achieving sustainable peace,” the commissioner said.

He noted that the government identified relevant ministries and security agencies to drive the implementation process, with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs serving as the lead ministry.

Other members of the committee include the Ministry of Justice, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Lands; Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security; Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command; General Manager, State Homeland Security Agency; State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); and State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He stated that the committee would coordinate the implementation of the White Paper, monitor compliance, collaborate with security agencies and make recommendations to the state government on further measures, while submitting periodic reports to the Governor through the Secretary to the State Government.

“Upon inauguration today, 5th day of November 2026, the government through White Paper directs that we must submit our reports within 30 days.

“What it means is that by 4th of December, the report of this committee will have been submitted to the Governor through the SSG,”Nwachukwu said.

He disclosed that copies of the White Paper would be distributed to all committee members and relevant ministries and agencies for proper study ahead of the committee’s first meeting, scheduled to hold virtually on Monday at 7pm.

The Commissioner further revealed that government would establish a broader Peace, Reconciliation and Stabilisation Committee comprising traditional rulers, youth representatives from Okon Aku and the wider Ohafia community, as well as religious leaders, to strengthen reconciliation and ensure lasting peace.

Identifying a disputed farmland in Okon Aku-Ohafia as one of the major issues behind the crisis, Dr. Nwachukwu directed the Ministry of Lands and the Mayor of Ohafia to make available all relevant documents concerning the property’s legal status, ownership and transactions.

“One of the major issues in the centre of this crisis is a rail farm in Okon Aku-Ohafia. We’ve been directed to find out the legal status of that farm.

“Before the end of next week, we must conclude action on that property as directed by White Paper, working with all security agencies,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, described the assignment as more than a formal inauguration, stressing that the committee had a responsibility to translate government decisions and recommendations into concrete and measurable outcomes.

Uwanna, who was represented by Mrs. Becky Ikechi, charged members to discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, fairness, impartiality and respect for the rule of law.

“We must not allow personal interests, sentiments, ethnic or cultural considerations to influence our decision. White Paper should serve as a guiding document.

“Our responsibility is to ensure recommendations are implemented in letter and spirit without unnecessary alteration or selective application,” he said.

He stressed that the implementation process must uphold the rights of all parties involved, respect traditional institutions and customary practices, and operate within the provisions of existing laws.

According to him, lasting peace goes beyond the absence of violence and must be founded on justice, mutual respect, accountability and reconciliation.

The Attorney General reaffirmed the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that the process remained guided by law, justice and fairness, while appealing to stakeholders and residents of Okon Aku-Ohafia to cooperate with the committee and maintain peace.

The state government maintained that the intervention should be regarded as an opportunity to resolve the unfortunate situation in a dignified and sustainable manner.

In a vote of thanks, the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Eleanya Ojuu Kalu, expressed delight over the inauguration, noting that the crisis affected community falls within his jurisdiction.

He appreciated members of the committee for accepting the responsibility and assured them of his readiness to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the assignment.