Scores Flee C’ River Dep Gov’s Village Over Killings, Mayhem
1 min read
Godwin AJOM, Calabar
A bishop and his son have been ambushed, burnt alive and beheaded in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, following a communal conflict between the Abanwan and Urugbam people in the Erei clan, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, home town of the state deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu. This has forced people to flee the community.
Community sources confirmed that the bishop was ambushed alongside his son while on a motorcycle on their way from Abanwan community, to nearby Afikpo in Ebonyi state.
As at press time, not fewer than six houses and their occupants were set ablaze, as the attackers mobilized and invaded Abanwan community. The ten Erei communities have over the years, been at loggerheads over a piece of land that was established by defunct Eastern Region before the Nigerian Civil War, as oil palm plantation settlement.
The settlement was handed over to the Cross River State government shortly after the war, given that the location was in the state. However, the Erei community where the oil palm plantation was located has 10 villages, who now scramble for ownership.
Meanwhile, the Army PPRO from 13 brigades Army Headquarters Calabar, has confirmed the mobilization of troops into the Abanwan and Urugbam area, to put the situation under control.
