Cross River Farmer Denies Using Soldiers To Torment Rivals At Abonita Cocoa Estate

A cocoa farmer operating at the contentious  Abonita  cocoa estate, in Etung local government area of Cross River State, Mr. Mbu Liku, has dismissed allegations of using soldiers to  physically assault  and intimidate fellow farmers at the estate.

The farmer debunked the allegation while reacting to the issue with LEADERSHIP, yesterday in Calabar.

Liku denied that at no time did he engage the services of any soldier to  physically assault, intimidate or harass a fellow  farmer as claimed in several forums by a group of farmers whom he alleged were doing so on the instruction of one Njor Asu, to blackmail him.

Some aggrieved farmers at the cocoa estate had accused Mbu Liku, early this week, of using soldiers to beat, intimidate fellow farmers, chase them away from their farms and usurp their farm produce.

The allotees, who include Mr. Joseph Ekong, Pastor Duke  Njor, Ekuri Boniface, Nic Ntui, Clement Isong-Amba, and Pastor Etta Roland, alleged that soldiers had on several occasions assaulted and harassed them on the orders of Mbu Liku.

“Why would I order soldiers to assault my fellow farmers?  I am not a serving officer, No. I am a common civilian like they are.

“This is the biggest lie from the pit of hell. Those who know me well can attest to the fact that I can’t hurt even a fly, talk less of hurting my fellow farmers.

” Those accusing  me of  having an alliance with soldiers in the estate are the thieves and people with questionable character and terribly afraid of the presence of any security personnel  around the estate because their hands aren’t clean,” Liku maintained.