Communal clashes: Cross River to clamp down on warring communities

Worried by the intermittent c ommu n a l clashes in Cross River State, the state government has warned border communities to de­sist from aggression that can threaten the peace and unity of the people.
The government said it would not hesitate to clamp down on warring communi­ties in the event of any further aggression.
The Director General, Cross River State Emer­gency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah, who dropped the warning while delivering relief materi­als to victims of the war-torn Usumutong and Ediba vil­lages at the weekend, said vio­lence and social disturbances in any society were the bane of meaningful development.
Aqua said: “Governor Li­yel Imoke as an ardent advo­cate of peace has warned that any further aggression will attract the wrath of govern­ment. Violence in any form was retrogressive and the sus­tenance of peace at all cost was necessary to enable the society realise its human po­tentials and galvanise such towards growth and develop­ment.
The director general, who was represented by the Dep­uty Director of Relief, Mr. Andy Akpotu, however, com­mended the peaceful disposi­tion of the communities and urged them to maintain the spirit.
Aqua said the relief mate­rials to the two warring com­munities of Usumutong and Ediba, was in fulfilment of the state government’s prom­ise to cushion the effect of the crisis, adding that items donated included rice, noo­dles, canned fish and salt.
Receiving the materials on behalf of the Abi Local Gov­ernment Council Chairman, Mrs. Edith Amadi, the council Secretary, Mr. Bassey Ekpon­ta, said the state government’s magnanimity was apt and that it would provide the needed succour to the victims of the skirmishes.
Amadi promised that the council would do everything possible to sustain the peace between Usumutong and Ed­iba communities.
Commending the govern­ment gestures, the clan head of Usumutong, Evai Edward, as­sured that his people would re­main peaceful no matter the level of provocation.
Also, the clan head of Ediba, Ovai, Ubi William, as­sured that peace would return to the two communities.
One of the beneficia­ries, Chief Bassey Ok­por, commended the state government for the generosity and prayed for peaceful reso­lution between the two com­munities.