By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
A Cross River-born cleric and former bishop in Uganda, Bishop Joseph Abeng, has condemned the renewed communal clashes between Ofatura and Ovonum communities in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, alleging that more than 50 persons have been killed in the violence.
Speaking in an interview, Bishop Abeng appealed to both communities to embrace peace and pursue an amicable resolution to the lingering dispute, warning against further bloodshed and destruction.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in the state, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the crisis in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He explained that the conflict began following an alleged cassava theft incident, which later escalated into a dispute over land ownership.
“The Command confirms that a communal misunderstanding occurred between Ofatura and Ovonum communities in Obubra LGA following a report of alleged cassava theft, which was later discovered to be connected to a land dispute,” the statement said.
Akata added that security operatives intervened promptly, leading to peace talks between the warring communities.
According to him, both parties agreed to maintain peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Bishop Abeng, who hails from the area, said the deployment of soldiers and policemen by the state government had helped to contain the violence, which he noted had resulted in widespread killings and destruction of property.
He further alleged that one of the communities recruited mercenaries to strengthen its position, claiming that the opposing side had the backing of several retired senior security officers.
He, however, stated that the mercenaries were eventually neutralised during the clashes.
“As we speak this morning, the number of casualties from the conflict is more than 50. Most of those killed are the mercenaries,” the cleric alleged. “Several houses and equipment have also been destroyed on both sides.”
The bishop further claimed that despite the heavy presence of security personnel, isolated attacks and killings reportedly continued until Monday night before community leaders were later released by authorities.
According to him, the Ovonum community had been retaliating against what it perceived as suppression and alleged land encroachment by the Ofatura people.
He added that before the escalation of the conflict, youths from both communities had been summoned by the paramount ruler of the Adon Kingdom for reconciliation, but the peace efforts failed as the parties allegedly refused to heed the intervention.