Land Dispute Between Cross River and Akwa Ibom Communities Leave 20 Dead

The land dispute between the people of Oku Iboku in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA in Cross River State has reportedly left over 20 dead.

Accordidng to a report by Punch, the clash, which began on Friday night, had escalated to the point where heavy weapons were deployed, causing travelers along the Calabar-Itu Highway to be held up for hours on Saturday until the arrival of soldiers.

It was gathered that the highest number of casualties were from Ikot Offiong as Oku Iboku youths ambushed them in the attack, and chased them to the neighbouring Odukpani community.

The communities are clashing for the third time since December 2016, with sources claiming the attacks are being sponsored by some faceless individuals.

Following the latest mayhem, the people of Ikot-Offiong community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State on Sunday called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris to investigate the activities of the soldiers and policemen posted to the area to foster peace.

They made their plea in a ‘Save Our Soul’ letter which was signed on behalf of the Ikot-Offiong people by Chief Etim Bassey-Offiong, specifically targeting personnel deployed in the Itu end of the bridge closer to Ibawa Police Division in Akwa Ibom State.

“The people of Oku-Iboku on January 16, 2017, crossed the bridge and attacked our people with dangerous weapons, killing some of us. On January 19, the Oku Iboku people caught one Bassey Ekpo from Eteheten village, who was returning from Port-Harcourt and killed him at Ayadeghe Bridge in the presence of the soldiers,” the letter read in part.

“On Saturday, February 11, 2017, the Oku-Iboku people with the aid of soldiers crossed the Calabar-Itu Bridge to Cross River to attack our people.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Army, 13 Brigade in Calabar, Capt. Kayode Owolabi, has debunked the allegation, insisting that the Army was on the ground to maintain peace.

Similarly, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, slammed the allegation as untrue.