Two Allegedly Killed In Abia-Cross River Border Clash
Two persons have been reportedly killed at the Isu community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State following a boundary clash with their Utuma neighbours of Biase Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.
There has been no love lost between the Isu clan and the Utuma community over the years as they have been fighting and killing one another in a land dispute.
A source said that all attempts by the two-state governments to settle the dispute have proved abortive.
It was gathered that gunmen invaded Isu at about 8 am on Monday, shot dead two persons and fled.
President General of the community, Elder Felix Okoro, said about 10 persons are missing.
He said, “The hoodlums invaded Isu clan this morning and shot dead two persons. We have been suffering attacks from our Utuma neighbours. This conflict started when limestone was discovered in Isu community and the Utuma have been laying claim to it, killing Isu people. Over 40 houses have been burnt and 60 persons killed with three villages sacked.
“For about two years now, the people of Iheosu- Isu and other villages have fled from the land because they were being killed and their houses burnt. They have become internally displaced persons in their land. The IDPs are now quartered at Ohabuike Primary School, Obieze Isu. We are calling on the federal and state government to protect Isu people before they kill all of us.
“We have a state of emergency at hand with the over 3,500 IDPs at the primary school. Isu people are grateful to NEMA and the Abia state government for sending relief materials. It costs the community N2 million monthly to buy food, clothing and drugs for them.
If the elder was aware of any attacks by his people on their neighbours, he did not say it.
“Isu people are worried about the situation; we are being slaughtered like chicken. The Deputy Governors of Abia and Cross Rivers States have visited Isu and Utuma and appealed for peace, yet our Utuma neighbours won’t allow us to live in peace. We no longer go to the disputed area which is our land, but they have continued to attack us.”
He urged the National Boundary Commission, NBC, as well as the Abia and Cross River State governments to urgently make further efforts to protect lives and property.
Contacted on the incident, Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ene Okon, said the area is now calm, stressing that he sent a detachment of Mobile Policemen to the area to support their counterpart who had to keep security in the area.
