Soldiers step in as fighting communities in Cross River destroy and burn down homes

The killings in Ovonum and Ofatura in the Obubra Local Government Area in central Cross River State have been reduced as a result of the arrival of detachments of soldiers from the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

Numerous fatalities and 200 burned homes had already been reported in both areas prior to the soldiers’ arrival.

On October 1st of this year, the communal violence flared up once more, forcing the closing of the Ikom-Ogoja federal route.

According to local accounts, the conflicting communities are squabbling over a disputed piece of land in their plantation-based farming region.

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In order to bring calm back to the communities, Governor Bassey Otu then ordered the detachment of soldiers, who are still present there.

Numerous people have abandoned their houses in both villages, and thousands of people have so far been displaced.

Elom Obongha, a local who talked to OBASANJO NEWS24, claimed that fighting started over the disputed land at midnight and swiftly grew in intensity until soldiers arrived at morning.

He claimed that thousands of people were seeking safety at the Mater Misericordiae Catholic Church because significant damage had already been done by the time the soldiers arrived.

You may remember that there was a conflict between the two villages in April of this year, which resulted in numerous fatalities and the destruction of many homes.

Egbe Abeng, a state House of Assembly representative for the region, denied being involved in the conflict.

He praised the state governor for taking the initiative to step in and use military.

He gave the government the assignment to question the community leaders in the Ofatura and Ovoum villages.