By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Three persons identified as as Rejoice Nton Anoka, 10, and a student, Mariam Akanya Mfono, 20 and a visitor were on Sunday, 10 March, 2024 killed in a communal clash in Nnaorokpa, Nta Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
According to the residents the clash between Nnaorokpa in Nta Ikom LGA and Ofunokpan in Obubra LGA had persisted for 30 years and had claimed many lives.
They added that the violent conflict had continued despite the state government’s intervention.
Police spokesperson in the state, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the latest development saying that investigation has commenced and police were on top of the matter.
The state has witnessed a lot of bloodshed as a result of communal clashes.
Recall that in October 2023, two communities, Ovonum and Ofatura, in Obubra Local Government Area of the state, were locked in communal strife, which left many dead and over 300 houses destroyed.
The conflict, which was caused by a dispute over a parcel of land at their farm areas, has left thousands of people homeless, following the destruction of residential houses and farmlands.
“In April, this year (last year), there was an outback of conflict between the two communities which left many dead and houses destroyed. Recently, on Independence Day, the misunderstanding arose again inside the plantation and fight started between youths of both communities.
“The crisis got to the climax when youths from both sides got home and related the information of what took place at the plantation to their elders and at about midnight , there was an outbreak of violence between the two communities,” a resident of the area, Elom Obongha said.
He said throughout the night, there was fighting between the two communities and by the time soldiers were dispatched to the area by dawn, a lot of havoc had been inflicted on both sides.
“By the time the soldiers arrived, a lot of damage had been done and now thousands of people are now taking refuge at Matter Mesricodia Catholic Church,” he said.
The House of Assembly member representing the area in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Egbe Abeng, in an emotion-laden tone, an Ovonum man, Enang, lamented thus: “My community has been decimated and our property destroyed. Over three thousand Ovonum persons are now refugees in their own land. We are now hibernating at a Catholic church with no food and water to even drink. We call on government and other Non-government Organisations to come to our aid before we suffer outbreak of epidemic. We have not witnessed this kind of destruction on our community”.
