The Etara and Ekuri Eyeyeng communities in the Etung Local Government Area of Cross River have reached out to Governor Bassey Otu for help regarding the humanitarian crisis stemming from a communal conflict.
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Mr. Clement Omina, the spokesperson for the Etara clan, along with their leader, Richard Oku, made this appeal in a statement issued in Calabar on Thursday. The Etara and Ekuri Eyeyng communities are recognized as part of the same clan under a unified leadership.
Omina highlighted that their clan has been significantly impacted by the ongoing land dispute involving the Alesi/Ekukunela Communities in Ikom and their neighboring Ochon/Isabang/Odonget communities in Obubra local government.
He elaborated that the blockade of their sole access road has resulted in severe hardships, as armed individuals patrol their homes and agricultural lands, hindering their ability to obtain food and medical assistance.
“This has led to a critical humanitarian situation, with the prices of basic goods soaring; for example, seasoning cubes have jumped to N250 each from N20.
“We are on the verge of starvation because we cannot reach our farms or go out to buy food and medical supplies.
“In this context, we earnestly request immediate intervention to save our people who are facing starvation and to restore peace in our communities,” he stated.
He also called for a security presence to ensure the safety of his community and for humanitarian aid in terms of food, medical care, and other vital supplies to support the communities severely affected by the blockade.
The Etara and Ekuri communities further urged that the mandate of the eight-member peace committee established by the state government to address the crisis be broadened to include the concerns of the Etara Clan and other impacted communities in the Etung council area.
It is worth noting that the Cross River government had formed an eight-member committee, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh. The committee, whose mandate…