15 July 2019
There is ongoing communal crisis between Ebom and Usumutong all in Abi LGA of Cross River with scores of lives reportedly lost.
Reports has it that the youths from Usumutong in Abi local government Area of Cross River state had taken laws into their hands when they ambushed a family in neighbouring Ebom community in their farm where they were haversting cassava NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
The report states that the deceased, Oti Ato, was killed with his son, Sunday while his grand son, Michael was shot by youths from Usumutong in the presence of his wife Eliza Oti who was made to watch as they beheaded her husband and son asking her to take the message to her people.
The village head of Ebom, Chief Sunday Obite, disclosed that the grandson of the deceased, Michael who escaped the incidence and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital in Itigidi due to the bullet wound he sustained while hiding in the bush, explained that, he saw them cutting off his grandfather's and his father’s head from his hiding place in the bush.
Narrating the story, Chief Obite, said three persons from Ebom community are still missing as the headless bodies of the victims have been recovered with the help of soldiers deployed to the communities since the crisis started sometime last year.
He added that, when government waded into the crisis, by deploying soldiers into the community, last year, Ebom had assumed peace had returned but this singular act has proven them wrong once again.
“Even as they steal our farm produce, we kept mute but now they have started again by killing a father and his son in the presence of the wife”. He concluded.
Another member of Ebom Community, Oban Bassey also said, they retrieved the bodies with the help of soldiers from the area and reported the matter to the police.
The Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said: “We are aware of the killing and the Commissioner of Police has deployed men there, and the community leaders have also been invited to meet with the Commissioner for further deliberation. For now, the area is calm.”
Attempts by the media to speak with the village head of Usumutong community who also doubles as the Paramount Ruler of Abi local government Area, HRH, Chief Solomon Edward who happens to be the father of Mr. Edward Osim ( Prince 7), son-in-law of former president Goodluck Jonathan, proved abortive as his line was not connecting as at press time.
Meanwhile, the governor of the state Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade who jetted out of the country to unknown destination in Europe has issued a strong statement condemning the nefarious act while describing it as unacceptable, he sternly warned both communities to sheath their sword, stating that security personnel have been mobilized into the area. The governor's statement reads in part:
'While security personnel has been mobilized to the troubled communities to de-escalate the crisis, I hereby call on the warring sides to halt every act of aggression. Government will not view with kindness further loss of lives and properties occasioned by avoidable communal crisis anywhere in the state”, the governor warned.'
Meanwhile and concurrently, Governor Ayade's Obudu LGA and the Vandekiya people of Benue state are also fighting a communal war. Unconfirmed sources says Ayade's inlaw was shot and is currently in intensive care.