THE SOCIOHISTORICAL CONTEXT OF EZILLO AND EZZA-EZILLO LAND CONFLICT IN EZILLO COMMUNITY, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Globally, land conflict occasioned by inequitable land distribution and use has occurred with differing social contexts and impacts on community development. In Nigeria, land conflict is a common occurrence within and among communities. One of such is the Ezza-Ezillo land conflict, which has been recurrent since 1930. Existing literature shows the debilitating impact of Ezza-Ezillo conflict on human and social development, with little attention paid to its sociocultural context. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the sociohistorical processes of the conflict, their implications on identity supremacy construction, the networks that sustain the conflict and their consequences on development in Ezillo community, Ebonyi State. Berger and Luckman`s Social Constructionist Theory provided the framework while the design was exploratory. Qualitative data were purposively collected from Ezillo and Ezza clans. Historical data were obtained from the National Archives, Enugu, while physical developments were observed through non-participant observation and interaction. Eighteen Key informant interviews were conducted with youth leaders, opinion leaders, politicians, clergy-Christian and shrine priest, and two police officers. Also, 32 In-depth interviews were held with male town union members of the executive committee-committee, female town union executive committee members, community members, Ezillo and Ezza representatives in link communities of Abakaliki and Enugu. Sixteen Focus group discussions were held with elderly male citizens, elderly female citizens, male youth and female youth. Data were content analysed. The Ezillo clan migrated first into Ezillo community about the 15th Century.In 1928, due to incessant Mgbo attacks without reprieve from the colonial administration, the Ezillo invited Ezza mercenaries(their kindred) to ward off attacks. The Ezza subsequently settled at the borderline surrounding Ezillo community as compensation for successful service rendered and for future protection. As the Ezza population expanded through in-migration of kin farmers, they acquired and encroached Ezillo land, leading to the first violent conflict in 1930. Subsequent contentions were on Ezillo’s indigeneity-overlordship authority over the land, while the Ezza asserted their ownership based on the rights granted as payment for protective service. Despite sharing ancestral affinity, inter-generational socialisation dichotomised Ezza and Ezillo identities as conflictual, while a new group of Ezza and Ezillo inter-marriage known as Ezza-Ezillo has emerged with loyalty to the Ezza, as the stronger group, even when paternal lineage is Ezillo. The Ezza increasingly gained superiority because of population, violence and through the support received from their kins in neighbouring states and in strategic government positions. The conflict has caused infrastructure underdevelopment, insecurity, armed robbery, prolonged family dislocation and poverty. Ezza-Ezillo conflict has persisted due to authority contentions over land and the utilisation of identity values to determine access and denial. Land tenure reform is needed to clarify indigene/settler`s rights and entitlements for inclusive land access and use.