Security Strengthened In A/Ibom, Cross-River Warring Communities

Worried by the lingering border clash between the people of Oku Iboku in Itu Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State and their neighbours Ikot Offiong in Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State; security has been beefed up in the troubled riverine communities.Few days ago, suspected hoodlums from Ikot Offiong were said to have invaded some fishing settlements in Oku Iboku, killing no fewer than eight, mostly women traders from Itam, Oku Iboku and Uruan.According to Edidiong Ekpe, a local vigilante, on Saturday, April 29, the invaders returned again to attack our communities but we were able to work with security agencies to repel the attackers.Although it could not be ascertained whether some casualties were recorded before the invaders could be repelled, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Chukwu Ikechukwu (DSP), who confirmed the latest incident on Sunday said nobody died.He disclosed that two gunboats had been deployed from the Oron/Calabar waters to the Itu axis with a view to warding off the invaders.Besides, Ikechukwu said the water patrol team was complemented by ground forces permanently stationed on the river fringes to forestall any emergency.He urged residents of Ikot Ada Akpan and other settlers in the fishing communities to go about their normal businesses as adequate security had been put in place to address the problem.The boundary matter involving the two states, had been taken up to the Supreme Court, and a worried Governor Udom Emmanuel, who visited the scene a week ago, had appealed for calm.
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