IGBO-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA: (KOGI & BENUE)
IGBO-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA: (KOGI & BENUE)
This covers the Igbo enclaves far beyond South East / South South. They are 100% indigenous, not settlers. NORTH CENTRAL ZONE
- KOGI STATE (Main Igbo Heartland in North Central)
Kogi is where Niger River & Benue River meet at Lokoja. The Igbo here are called Umuezeokoha, Ezza, Izzi, and Igbo-Akiri.
A. IBAJI LGA — 95% Igbo
This LGA is majority Igbo, bordering Enugu & Anambra:
- Onyedega (Headquarters – Igbo)
- Unale (Odolu), Odeke, Iyano, Ujeh, Akpanyo
- Nwajala, Umuoye, Ayah, Ojo, Echeno, Ikah
- Ubulie-Umueze, Ozara, Umuoke, Ubom, Ugbamaka, Obale
B. IGALAMELA-ODOLU LGA
- Akpanya — 95% Igbo (Ezza), Oji-Anyigba, Odolu town fringes
C. LOKOJA LGA & LOKOJA TOWN
- Egan communities, Ezza & Izzi traders enclave (old Niger Company route)
D. OFU LGA (fringe)
- Small Ezza farm settlements
Language: Ika-Igbo, Ezza, Izzi dialect. Total population in Kogi — over 300,000 Igbos.
- BENUE STATE (Largest Igbo Cluster in North Central)
Benue has over 600 villages of Igbo. They are the Umuezeokoha people, also called Isobo, Ezaa, Izzi.
A. ADO LGA — 80% Igbo
This is the Igbo capital of Benue:
- Ulayi, Igumale (Igbo-Akiri), Apaapa, Oge
- Okpoku-Ezikoha, Ezza South settlements
B. OKPOKWU LGA
- Amejo, Eke, Effion, Umuezeokoha villages
- Oriuzor, Okwungaga, Ichakwu, Ngbo-Izzi
C. OJU LGA
- Obusa, Ocheku, Ezza, Izzi farming communities
- Eziulo, Okwe
D. OBI LGA
- Obi township Igbo quarter, Adum-Ogbo, Ezza enclaves
E. GWER WEST & MAKURDI (fringe enclaves)
- Old Ezza labour settlements along Benue River
Language: Ezza, Izzi, Ikwo — same as Ebonyi. Total population in Benue — over 500,000+ Igbos.
In total: Over 1 MILLION indigenous Igbos live in North Central alone , apart from South South & South East.
This proves Ala Igbo is 13 States— 5 South East + 6 South South + 2 North Central.
