Ambazonian Rebels Invade Cross River Community, Burn Houses

Residents of Belegete Community in Obanlikwu local government area of Cross River State have fled their homes following an attack by Ambazonian rebels on the area.

The invaders razed down two houses, the paramount ruler of Obanlikwu council, His Royal Majesty Uchua Amos Item, told LEADERSHIP in an interview in Calabar yesterday.

The monarch wondered why the rebels again launched an attack on a community where its residents that fled to neighbouring villages are yet to return.

He said the rebels who are from the southwest of Cameroon Republic invaded the mountainous community of Belegete in Obanliku local government area of Cross River State and fled, leaving behind massive destruction.

The traditional ruler called on the state and federal government to intensify in making their presence felt in the community despite the mountainous terrain so that the community residents who fled their ancestral homes could return home.

The Ambazonian fighters infiltrated the Belegete community on December 5, 2023, killing some residents and occupied the community for over a week.

The monarch stated that even though he had reached out to the army and police commanders residing in his domain, the security agencies have been unable to do enough given the inaccessibility of the mountainous.

“It takes over six hours from the famous Obudu Mountain Resort to get there by descending the mountains into the deep. It is not motorable in any way. Okada riders charge N35,000 to travel there. So, it was very difficult for our men to descend to the place to rescue our people.

“But reliable sources confirmed to me this morning that the insurgents have abandoned the community. But they however burnt some houses before they fled,” the monarch said.