Cross River Gov’t Blames Social Media Influencers For Prolonged Conflict In Communities

Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr Erasmus Ekpang has blamed social media influencers escalated report of the communal clash between Iso-Bendeghe and Boje communities in Boki local government area of the State.

Ekpang stated this on Thursday in Calabar while answering questions from LEADERSHIP correspondent.

The Commissioner, who spoke ahead of August 18, 2025 Boki New yam festival said, “What you read on social media about the conflict is not 100 percent true of what is happening in the communities.”

Recall that in 2010, conflict erupted between Boje and Isobendeghe communities resulting in the intervention of the former Governor Liyel Imoke to confiscate the disputed land.

The crises that followed have caused loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of several residents in both communities.

“Social media users are the ones escalating this conflict. They are the ones fanning this ember of war.

“As a government we are doing everything humanly possible within our reach to halt the conflict,” he said.

The Commissioner pleaded with the warring youths from both communities “to lay down your arms, killing one another and taking people’s soul that you can hardly create is not ideal”

Ekpang also promised to liase with stakeholders in the communities and called on Ochibe Boki to ensure that peace fully returned to the two communities.