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| Cross Rivers State Governor |
Eleven persons have been killed and no
fewer than 2,000 persons displaced in Adadama, Abi Local Government Area
of Cross River State.
This followed a land dispute on Saturday
in the border community with its neighbour, Amagu in Ikwo Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Eyewitnesses said the crisis arose from a renewed land dispute between Adadama and Amagu communities.
Acting Governor of Cross River State,
Mr. Efiok Cobham, who visited Adadama, confirmed this on Sunday and said
the state had put machinery in motion to ensure that normalcy returned
to the area.
Cobham, who also sympathised with the
people over the loss of lives and property, urged them to cooperate with
the law enforcement agents deployed in the area to maintain peace.
He said there was no need for those
affected to resort to self-help because such could only worsen the
situation “since two wrongs cannot make a right”.
He said, “I am here to commiserate with
you over the unfortunate incident that happened on Saturday. We share
with you in your sorrow and we are committed to stand by you to ensure
that we get to the root causes of the crises.
“No responsible government will fold its
arms and watch its citizens being maltreated, not to talk of killing of
them. We will not allow the perpetrators go scot-free, all of them will
be brought to justice.’’
Cobham expressed displeasure over the
unfortunate incident in spite of a cease-fire and peace meeting brokered
between the communities, which ended fruitfully.
He warned against reprisal, which, according to him, will only lead to more casualties.
At the Government Primary School,
Annung, Abi Local Government Area, where the 2,000 people are being
camped, Cobham assured them of the state government’s assistance.
Cobham, who also assured them of
adequate security, visited the Palace of the Clan Head of Itigidi,
Edward Asikong where he urged the monarch to mobilise his subjects to
support the security operatives drafted to the area to maintain peace.
Meanwhile, gunmen on Friday killed two policemen and a woman at Ungwar Dosa of Kaduna State.
An eyewitness said the gunmen came on a motor bike and shot the two policemen who were on duty at the area.
A stray bullet hit a woman and her daughter, who were close to the scene.
The Police Public Relations Officer in
the state, Aminu Lawan, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the
incident, saying the command had launched an investigation to
unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Muktar
Yero, has visited the scene of the incident and the hospital where the
woman and her daughter were said to be receiving treatment.
PUNCH
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