Gov Ayade Warns Warring Alisi, Odonget Communities Over Bloody Clash

Governor Ayade has warned the warring Alisi and Odonget communities over bloody clash, The Nation report.

Two communities in Cross River State, Alisi in Ikom local government area and Odonget in Obubra local government both engaged themselves last Tuesday in a deadly clash that started the previous night and had left scores of lives uncounted for and many public and individuals’ property destroyed.

The cause of the clash had reportedly been linked to disputes over land ownership and boundaries.

The warring youths extended their clash into the federal highway where the road between Obubra to Ikom was blocked for hours and travellers stopped.

Angered by the incident, Governor Ben Ayade sent his deputy Prof. Ivara Esu to meet elders and youths in the communities.

He warned that the State government will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any individual, no matter how highly placed who is found culpable of fomenting trouble in any community in the State.

Ayade who spoke while on an on-the-spot assessment of the destruction, expressed serious displeasure on the level of destruction of property, infrastructure, primary school, palm oil factories in the areas as well as economic trees among others.

Professor Esu made it clear that the present administration in the state will not extend the latitude of its patience and look the other way when few disgruntled elements derives pleasure on the destruction of lives and property on the slightest provocation, stressing that life is sacred and no one has the right to take it while hiding under unjustifiable excuses.

The deputy governor assured that government is going to dig deep into the root cause of the crisis between the two neighbouring communities adding that a permanent boundary demarcation is necessary to be in place between the two communities,.

Also addressing the people, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Dr. Alfred Mboto, informed the people that the visit from the State number two citizen to the affected Communities was to ascertain the level of damage done to both sides as the result of the conflict.

Also speaking, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Aminu Alhassan, also warned that the law will deal with anyone or group of persons found to destroy lives, property, houses and Economic trees under the guise of communal disputes.

CP Alhassan however admonished the two communities to learn to live together in peace while government seeks for permanent solution to their problems.