Disarm your youths or be sanctioned – CP orders leaders of Cross River warring communities

Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Mr Afegbua Rashid, has given a tall order to all chiefs and leaders of Etono 2 and Biakpan communities to immediately disarm their restive youths.

Activities of these youths from both communities have led to the destruction of several lives and properties since the resurgence of skirmishes over ownership of lands in March 2025.

In an interview with the Deputy PRO of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Igri Ewa, Monday morning, he said the Commissioner met with all chieftains of Biase LGA over the weekend in his office on Diamond Hill, Calabar.

Ewa said the directive from the CP was not limited to the Biakpan and Etono chiefs but to other warring communities in the state.

Ewa said, “The CP had to summon the Chairman of Biase LGA, Edodi Eyong, alongside other leaders and traditional chiefs of the two warring communities to his office.

“He gave them the tall order to return home and meet with their youths to work out peace amongst themselves.

“He specifically ordered them to disarm their youths or risk sanctions.

“The CP warned that failure to disarm them, he will definitely ensure ‘enforcement of peace’ amongst them.”

Last week, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, had also given a tall order to chairmen of LGAs, warning that if they are not able to enforce peace in their restive communities, they risk suspension.

It will be recalled that the immediate past CP, Olusegun Omosanyin, had similarly summoned leaders and chiefs of both communities, and ordered them to embark on a disarmament exercise.

According to media reports and other sources, both communities had stockpiled arms and tasked different age grades to contribute One Million Naira every three months each to purchase more weapons.

Disarm your youths or be sanctioned – CP orders leaders of Cross River warring communities