Community Seeks Cross River Intervention In Land Dispute

Biakpan community in Cross River State has appealed to the state government to intervene in the ongoing land dispute and communal clash with Etono II community.

The community urged the government to ensure that the people of Etono II honour court judgments on the long-standing land dispute.

Speaking on the issue yesterday in Calabar, Onun Obu Obu Enang, a traditional ruler and spokesperson for the Biakpan people, stated that the state government’s intervention was necessary to enforce the different court rulings.

The monarch cited historical incidents, including the murder of a pregnant woman in 1984 and the kidnapping of two persons in 1987, as evidence of the deep-seated nature of the conflict.

The recent resurgence of violence resulted in the loss of lives, kidnappings and destruction of property, including the burning of a cathedral belonging to the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.

The community expressed shock that the Etono II people have not honoured the court judgments, including a Supreme Court ruling; instead, they are agitating for independence.

The monarch called on the inspector-general of police and other security agencies to enforce the court judgments.

In his response, the spokesperson for Etono II Clan in Biase local government area of Cross River State, Prince Enene Eke, denied involvement in the burning of the cathedral.