PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Two warring communities in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State are said to be in a land dispute over the cultivation of rice.
O’Oba and Itega Okpoma communities are neighboring communities that have live in peace for decades before the incident.
Our correspondent learnt that houses have been razed and others injured as the two hitherto neighboring communities engage in a clash.
It was learnt that Itega Okpoma community had planted rice on a piece of land bordering the two communities, when some set of persons from O’Oba community allegedly set fire on them, thus triggering the current crisis.
One Helen Agbor, who spoke to our correspondent said: “Last night and into this morning (Wednesday), there was sporadic shooting and arson, especially on the major Ogoja-Abakaliki road that links the two communities.
“The Itega community had cultivated rice on the disputed swamp and had harvested, awaiting threshing. Overnight, the harvest was set ablaze. They pointed accusing fingers at the O’Oba people. That was what set off this year’s crisis.”
“As a spill-over effect, neighboring communities, especially Utukpo, Olachor and Anchor have not been at peace. Members of the communities gathered this morning at their respective village squares. Delegations were sent to the Paramount Ruler, HRH Ogamode Onah Ipuole, by elders of the communities.
“The Utukpo delegation was led by the Ogbuole (deputy clan head), Chief Moses Oko,” she said.
Confirming the incident, The State Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, said the command was fully aware that miscreants from O’Oba, allegedly invaded the other community and set their rice farm ablazed.
“Delegations from the warring communities had met with my DPO in charge of Okpoma. We have mobilized our men to take over these places. We are going to ensure peace and security,” the police boss said.
As at the time of filing this report, elders of the two communities were said to be holding meetings to resolve the issue, but some villagers are fleeing their communities for fear of being affected by the crisis.
Some villagers were also said to have taken refuge in the palace of the paramount ruler of Yala, HRH Ogamode Onah Ipuole.
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