TheCable

Hundreds of residents in Umuahia, Abia state, on Tuesday held a rally to celebrate the return of peace in the state.

All through last week, there was tension in the state, following a face-off between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and security agencies.

But Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of the state, confirmed Tuesday that “fragile” peace had returned to the state.

The residents, who walked round major streets in Umuahia, chanting peace songs, also called for the sustenance of efforts aimed at restoring total peace in the state.

The rally was organised by Vision Africa, a non-governmental organisation.

Sunday Onuoha, Vision Africa president, told journalists that peace needs to reign in Abia “so that the poor, the mighty would live in peace”.

“What we have done is to tell people that there is peace in Abia state (hence) people dance and celebrated peace. Let peace reign,” he said.

Onuoha urged aggrieved parties to be ready to make sacrifice for the sake of peace and harmony in the state.