A fresh outbreak of violence linked to a land dispute has claimed the life of a farmer and left another injured in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred on Friday, July 4 and has heightened tension between the neighbouring Urugbam and Egbor communities.
Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Digital Economy, Philip Obin, alleged that armed men suspected to have come from Egbor Community attacked farmers working on their land in Urugbam.
According to Obin, the deceased, identified as Nkeruwem Ikoh, popularly known as Obong Ikor Obong, was shot while working on his farmland.
He said, “Armed persons from a community in Erei South, together with their collaborators, invaded the farmland of my community, Urugbam.
During the unprovoked attack, Mr. Obong Ikor Obong was shot and killed, while several other persons sustained gunshot injuries.”
Obin also accused the government of neglecting the affected community despite the recurring crisis.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sunday Eitokpah, said the attack was reported to have occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
He explained that two farmers, Nkeruwem Ikoh and Ukam Ajah Okpan, were allegedly attacked by unidentified gunmen while working on their farmlands near Egbor Community.
“The victims were immediately taken back to the village for medical assistance. Unfortunately, Mr. Nkeruwem Ikoh later died from his injuries, while the second victim is currently receiving treatment. The deceased has been deposited at Uwana Mortuary in Afikpo, Ebonyi State,” Eitokpah said.
The police spokesperson assured residents that a full investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.
He urged residents of Orugbam, Egbor and neighbouring communities to remain peaceful and avoid reprisals.
“We appeal to members of the affected communities to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands and provide credible information that will assist the ongoing investigation. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he added.
The latest attack is the first major fatal incident reported in the area since the renewed communal violence of May 12, 2020, when clashes between the neighbouring Urugbam (Orugbam), Egbor and Ipene communities over a longstanding land dispute left several people dead and properties destroyed.
