By Cynthia Johnson
Many persons have been feared dead with over three hundred houses destroyed in a clash involving Ovonum and Ofatura communities in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Quest Times reports that The conflict, which is over a parcel of land, has displaced thousands of people, who are now taking refuge at a Catholic church.
A resident of the area, Elom Obongha speaking with newsmen on phone, disclosed that the conflict started on Independence Day, October 1, when youths from the two communities fought over the land. The violence quickly escalated, and by the time soldiers arrived to intervene, a lot of damage had been done.
“In April, this year, there was an outback of conflict between the two communities which left many dead and houses destroyed. Recently, on Independence Day, the misunderstanding arose again inside the plantation and fight started between youths of both communities
“The crisis got to the climax when youths from both sides got home and related the information of what took place at the plantation to their elders and at about midnight , there was an outbreak of violence between the two communities”.
“By the time the soldiers arrived, a lot of damage had been done and now thousands of people are now taking refuge at Matter Mesricodia Catholic Church,” Elom said.
The House of Assembly member representing the area, Egbe Abeng, denied any involvement in the conflict, stating that he has been working to promote peace in the community, and had mobilized the security to intervene when the conflict broke out.
“I can tell you that the peace enjoyed in the community is because of my intervention. When I got a call about the outbreak of the recent problem, I moved quickly from Yala where I was on an oversight function down to my community and I tried to mobilise the security to intervene.
“The destruction is on both communities and with the help of Governor Bassey Otu a detachment of soldiers is stationed there to restore peace. Therefore, I call on the government to interrogate the leadership of both Ofatura and Ovoum because they need to find lasting peace to this problem. I am a peacemaker and Ovonum people voted for me and contributed to my emergence. So why should I sponsor a war against them”
Residents of both communities have appealed to the government and NGOs for help. They say that they are now refugees in their own land, with no food or water to even drink. Describing the situation as unfortunate, an indegene of Ofatura, Justine Ovat said:
“The recent crisis is unfortunate. The Adon Kingdom made peace after the April conflict and while we were still trying to settle down, another crisis occurred culminating in the destruction of houses in both communities. I call on all leaders to come to a round table to find lasting solution to these conflicts.”
Also, an Ovonum man, Enang, lamented thus: “My community has been decimated and our property destroyed. Over three thousand Ovonum persons are now refugees in their own land.
We are now hibernating at a Catholic church with no food and water to even drink. We call on government and other Non-government Organisations to come to our aid before we suffer outbreak of epidemic. We have not witnessed this kind of destruction on our community”.