The Chairman of Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Eti-Eka Beatrice Nyiam, has called for proper boundary demarcation between Boje and Isobendighe communities to end recurring communal clashes and bloodshed in the area.
Nyiam made the call Wednesday morning while fielding questions on a HIT FM radio programme in Calabar following the resurgence of violence between Boje and Isobendighe communities in the local government area.
She urged the state Surveyor-General to carry out a proper demarcation of the boundaries between the affected communities, stressing that this would help prevent further encroachment and trespass.
The council boss warned that following the demarcation, any further encroachment on community land or trespass would be seriously frowned upon and treated as theft.
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She also called for a meeting of traditional rulers and other chieftains from the affected communities, with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security expected to attend.
According to her, Governor Bassey Otu had approved an interface with traditional leaders to address the security challenges and promote lasting peace in the affected communities.
Nyiam said the recurring clashes were largely caused by disputes over farmlands, particularly during the farming season.
She said the security situation in Boki, the largest local government area in the state, was improving because security agencies had become more proactive, but called for the establishment of police outposts in the affected communities.
“I have confidence that with clear demarcations and the establishment of police outposts, communal peace will be ensured.
“We need peace. We want Boki to return to the days when we were younger, when natives were very free among themselves,” she said.
The renewed violence prompted the deployment of troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, to the two communities after two persons were reportedly killed and property destroyed in the last two weeks.
Meanwhile, Nyiam expressed concern over the continued large-scale logging of timber in Boki, lamenting that heavy trucks transporting logs were damaging access roads across the local government.
She also regretted the absence of investors willing to establish wood-processing factories in the area, saying such investments would create employment opportunities and add value to the abundant timber resources.
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