150 killed in Cross River communities’ clashes

One hundred and fifty people have been reportedly killed after a three-day dispute between two communities in Cross River state.

John Inaku, director-general of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), disclosed this to NAN on Tuesday.

He said 14,000 people have been displaced following the destruction of 1,233 houses.

“Between June 27 and June 29 the people of Wanikade and Wanihem communities both in Yala local government area of the state were involved in a communal war,” he said.

“As a result of the bloody war, 14,000 people have been displaced, 1,233 houses were destroyed, while over 150 persons have lost their lives.”

According to him, over 4,000 victims, who fled as a result of the deadly encounter are now taking refuge in Oju local government area of Benue.

He said the conflict had crippled farming and other socio-economic activities in the area.

Inaku said Ben Ayade, governor of the state, had provided food and non-food items to the displaced people.

“CR-SEMA in collaboration with the state’s Food Bank Commission has distributed bags of rice, beans, groundnut and palm oil, beverages, cooking utensils, cartons of Indomie, mosquito net, among others to the victims,” he said.

Inaku thanked the Benue government for its show of love in caring for the people, who fled to the state for safety.

The director-general appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Refugee Commission to act proactively with a view to providing succour to the displaced people.

Inaku, who condemned the conflict, appealed to youth in both communities to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

Irene Ugbo, public relations officer of the Cross River state police command, said additional security operatives had een deployed to the warring communities to restore peace.