The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Communal clash

  • Seven killed in Cross River, Ebonyi communal clash

    Seven people have been reportedly killed in a fresh outbreak of hostilities between the Amagu people in Ikwo, Ebonyi State and the Adadama people in Abi, Cross River State, on Saturday.

    Several others were injured. Seven houses were razed in Adadama, it was learnt.

    It was gathered that several armed youths, dressed in military uniform from Ebonyi allegedly invaded Adadama community on Saturday at about 2pm, firing sporadically.

    An eyewitness said the seven, who were killed, were Adadama men who had attempted to beat the invaders to retreat.

    He said: “We don’t have any arms here. The people they killed were our men who tried to fight them back.

    “But because they went to face people with sophisticated guns, they ended up dead.

    “About five were killed instantly. Two, who were injured, died on their way to the hospital.

    “Their bodies are in the mortuaries.

    “The invaders came in through the Ngoli Road which links us with Amagu community in Ebonyi State.

    “They were masked and dressed as military men and they had sophisticated guns.

    “They did not come with any vehicle but through the bush tracks which they know very well.

    “They came around two o’clock in the afternoon and were shooting till late in the evening of that Saturday before military men came in and forced them out.

    “They have withdrawn for now, but I believe they are just waiting to cause more havoc.

    “As I speak to you, the Adadama community is deserted.

    “The area is now like a war zone as people have run away to other communities for safety.

    “ We really need something to be done about this situation once and for all.

    “We are peace-loving people. We do not own arms, but we should not be taken for granted because of this.”

    The Cross River State Security Adviser, Rekpene Bassey confirmed the attack.

    “I cannot talk to the press now. But I can confirm there was an attack. Security agencies have moved in to check the situation. That is all I can say for now,” Bassey said.

    In January, at least 11 people were killed in an outbreak of conflict between the communities.

    Armed youths from the Ebonyi community had on January 14 allegedly invaded Adadama where they kidnapped seven farmers and thereafter proceeded to a newly constructed police station and razed it.

  • 11 killed in Cross River, Ebonyi communal clash

    Eleven people have been killed in a fresh outbreak of violence between Amagu community in Ebonyi State and Adadama community in Cross River State.

    Over 2,000 people have been displaced.

    Armed youths from Amagu community on January 14 allegedly invaded Adadama, where they kidnapped seven farmers and razed a newly built police station.

    Eyewitnesses said they moved towards Adadama community, shooting sporadically, but were resisted by some hunters.

    There was an exchange of gunfire for over an hour and a man, Isang Enya (38), was killed.

    It was gathered that a vigilance group from Adadama moved into a part of Amagu and rescued six of the farmers.

    Madam Ekama Ekpata (65) was not found as it was alleged that she was killed before the vigilance team arrived.

    Sources said before the conflict, Adadama community held peaceful talks with Okpitomo and Amagu communities.

    The Adadama Traditional Rulers Council sent three delegates to attend a peace meeting in Ebonyi State.

    But one of the delegates, James Ekoro, was allegedly abducted by Amagu youths on his way to Okpitomo.

    He was rescued by Adadama youths.

    On January 14, policemen were sent to the area.

    The following day, a peace meeting was convened by the Ebonyi State Government, with the chairmen of Abi and Ikwo in attendance.

    Ten delegates each from Adadama and Amagu, the District Police Officers from both local governments, the State Security Service (SSS) and local government officers also attended.

    The meeting resolved that parties should cease fire and withdraw from the boundary lines of both states to allow the policemen take charge.

    The parties agreed to carry out a joint assessment visit to the affected communities today.

    However it was learnt yesterday that while the Abi team was preparing for this visit, 20 armed men in mobile police uniforms came in two new Hilux vans with no registration number.

    They came through the Ugep-Abakaliki Road and blocked the comunity’s entrance and ‘killed’ 11 people.

    Acting Governor of Cross River State Efiok Cobham, who visited the community yesterday, said government would ensure that normalcy returns to the area.

    Sympathising with the people, Cobham urged them to cooperate with law enforcement personnel drafted to the area and avoid self- help.

    He said: “I am here to commiserate with you on the unfortunate incident that happened yesterday.

    “We share with you in your sorrow and we are committed to stand by you to ensure that we get to the cause of the crises.

    “No responsible government will fold its arms and watch its citizens been mal-treated let alone being killed.

    “We will not allow the perpetrators go free; all of them will be brought to justice.”

    At the Government Primary School, Annung, Abi Local Government Area, where 2,000 displaced persons are being camped, Cobham assured them that the government is mobilising resources to give them temporary relief and assured them of adequate security.

  • Police avert communal clash in Kwara

    The Mobile Police Unit in Offa, near Ilorin, on Sunday averted a communal clash between two neighbouring communities of Offa and Erin-Ile in Kwara State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a disagreement between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the two communities sparked off the trouble.

    NAN gathered that members of the union in the two communities had earlier reached an agreement that passengers going to Erin-Ile should board designated taxis at Offa Poly Motor Park.

    But on Saturday afternoon, a mini- commercial bus was said to have flouted the directive by conveying passengers from Offa direct to Erin-Ile on inter-township route.

    The mini bus was reportedly accosted on its return trip by NURTW officials in Offa for failure to stop. They had its passengers offloaded at the Poly Motor Park.

    A source who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said the driver, rather than accept the sanction meted out to him in good fate, went to Erin-Ile and returned in company of some motor park thugs.