11 feared dead, 2,000 others displaced in fresh communal crisis in Cross River

Eleven persons are reported dead and no less than 2,000 others displaced in Adadama, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River.

This followed renewed land dispute on Saturday in the border community with its neighbour, Amagu in Ikwo Local Government of Ebonyi.

Eyewitnesses said the crisis arose from age-long land dispute between Adadama community and Amagu community.

Acting Governor of Cross River, Efiok Cobham, who went on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected community, confirmed this on Sunday in Adadama.

He said that government has put machinery in motion to ensure that normalcy returned to the area.

Mr. Cobham, who also sympathised with the people over the loss of lives and property, urged them to cooperate with the law enforcement personnel drafted to the area.

He said there was no need for those affected to resort to self-help because such could only worsen the situation “since two wrongs cannot make a right’’.

“I am here to commiserate with you over the unfortunate incident that happened yesterday.

“We share with you in your sorrow and we are committed to stand by you to ensure that we get to the root causes of the crises.

“No responsible government will fold its arms and watch its citizens being maltreated, not to talk of killing of its citizenry.

“We will not allow the perpetrators go scot free, all of them will be brought to justice.”

Mr. Cobham expressed displeasure over the unfortunate incident in spite of cease fire and peace meeting brokered between the Amagu and Adamama Communities which ended fruitfully.

The acting governor warned against reprisal attack which, according to him, will only lead to more casualties.

At the Government Primary School, Annung, Abi Local Government Area, where the 2,000 people are being  camped, Mr. Cobham assured them that government was mobilising resources to give them temporal relief.

Mr. Cobham, who also assured them of adequate security, visited the Palace of the Clan Head of Itigidi, Eval Edward Asikong.

He urged Asikong to mobilise his subjects to support the security operatives drafted to the area to handle the situation.

Mr. Cobham also assured the Abi Royal Father that normalcy would soon return to the communities.