Dozens Killed As Violence Erupts In Cross River Communities

No fewer than twenty people have been reportedly killed while many other sustained serious injury in a violence that broke out in four communities in Biase local government area of Cross River state.

Premium Times reports that hundreds of women and children have also been displaced by the violence which broke out on Monday, December 3, in Urugbam, Egbor, Ipene, and Abanwan, four of the 10 communities that make up Erei clan, which predominantly occupies the southwestern tip of Cross River near the border with Abia state.

Legit.ng gathered that an indigene traced the violence to the sale of a parcel of land, used to cultivate palm fruits since 1973.

The land reportedly belonged to Urugbam and Egbor communities, but was leased out by the Egbor community to African Stone Works Ltd., allegedly without the consent of the Urugbam and other communities that have been a part of the cultivation for over 45 years.

The 14 Brigade Nigerian Army is located a few minutes away across the Abia state border in Ohafia, and residents said soldiers there must have heard as heavy gunshots were ringing out amongst Erei people.

The Cross River police commissioner, Hafiz Inuwa, was quoted to have said that a deadly clash broke out in the communities, but added that officers have been deployed to quell it.

“We have sent our men from divisions and area commands to the communities,” Inuwa told Premium Times on telephone on Tuesday morning, December 4.

The police chief said he was yet to have a full report on casualty figures because he had been in Calabar, the state capital, but insisted that the crisis has been contained and no report of escalation from his officers on ground.

Chima Ezeamama, the manager of African Stone Works Ltd., said that his company concluded purchase of the palm plantation a few months ago, and some elements in the communities have been fomenting trouble ever since.

“The problems are being caused by one or two criminally-minded individuals,” Ezeamama said, declining to name the individuals.

He said the plantation was “bought legally” and with “due process” followed. Ezeamama said after violence began brewing shortly after the purchase was concluded, his company drew the attention of state authorities to it.

“The state government set up a judicial panel of enquiry chaired by Justice Eyo Ita and he delivered his report last week Thursday,” Ezeamama said.

Sunday Ugbuoji, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senator from Ebonyi state, was identified as a major investor in African Stone Works Ltd., and is said to have a prolonged interest in the disputed plantation.

According to the online medium, the senator abruptly disconnected a telephone call from it put across to him after learning that it was about the deadly clashes over the palm plantation. He did not reply separate messages seeking comments.