Communal dispute: Cross River communities seek govt assistance

The Etara and Ekuri Eyeyeng communities of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River have called on Governor Bassey Otu to intervene in the humanitarian crisis caused by a communal clash.

The spokesman of the Etara clan, Mr Clement Omina and their leader, Richard Oku made the remark in a statement in Calabar on Thursday.

The Etara and Ekuri Eyeyng communities are said to be in one clan with one leadership.

Omina said that their clan was severely affected by the ongoing communal crisis over land between Alesi/Ekukunela Communities in Ikom and their neighbours, Ochon/Isabang/Odonget communities in Obubra local government.

He explained that the blockade of the only access road to their clan had led to unprecedented suffering as armed men parade their homes and farms, preventing their people from accessing food and medical care.

“This has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with prices of essential commodities skyrocketing; seasoning cubes, for instance, now costs N250 per cube from N20.

“We are on the brink of starvation because we cannot access our farms or venture out to procure food and medical supplies.

“In light of this, we respectfully appeal for prompt intervention to rescue our people who are on the brink of starvation and restore peace to our communities,” he said.

He appealed for security presence to ensure safety of his people and humanitarian assistance in the area of food, medicare and other essential supplies to their communities which had been severely impacted by the blockade.

The Etara and Ekuri communities also requested that the mandate of the eight-man peace committee, set-up by the state government, to look into the crisis be expanded to address the plight of Etara Clan and other affected communities in Etung council area.

It will be recalled that the government of Cross River had set up an eight-man committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh.

The committee, whose mandate is to look into the matter, has ordered all parties involved in the crisis to stop all activities on the lands in contention.

Communal dispute: Cross River communities seek govt assistance