Communal clash claims over 10 lives in C’ River communities

Sister communities in the Abi local government area of Cross River state, Ediba and Usumutong, clashed over the weekend with more than 10 persons allegedly murdered and property worth several millions of naira destroyed.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that both communities were struggling for small portion of land in the area.

At the time of filing this report, fighting was still going on.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo confirmed the clash saying that the Police has dispatched a team of security agents to the trouble spots.

The member representing the senatorial district encapsulating the communities in the upper chamber, Senator John Owan Enoh, appealed to the warring communities to sheath their sword. In a statement made available to our correspondent, Senator Enoh said “It Is with pain in my heart that I learnt of another round of bloodletting between the people of Ediba and Usumutong communities both of Abi LGA of the central senatorial district, CRS.”

He lamented that “this carnage and wide spread destruction which I was informed claimed the precious lives of our people coming at this point when our peacemaking effort had seemingly begun to work is an unfortunate setback. In spite of this, my belief in the sanctity of human life and the right of our people to peaceful coexistence remains unshakable.”
Senator Enoh, who condemned the clash noted, “It is in the light of above, that I unreservedly condemn this latest round of hostilities and urgently call on the warring communities to sheath their swords, embrace the course of peace, and refrain from all actions capable of leading to the further breakdown of law and order.

“Our people are diminished each time we call on the base instincts in us. It is therefore with a sense of urgency that I call on all the warring communities to toe the path of peace and explore all remedies within the confines of the law in pursuit and defence of their rights” he appealed.

The Hon Member who regretted the incident called on the security agencies to come to the aid of the innocent people, “Let me use this opportunity to once again call on both the security agencies to secure the affected areas as well as the concerned royal fathers to use their exalted positions to promote peace at all times in their domains”.