By Raphael Ekpang
The Nigeria Senate on Tuesday urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to deploy more men to the trouble spots along the entire stretch of the Ebonyi/Cross River boundary area.
This was sequel to the motion “The communal clashes between bordering communities of Cross River state and Ebonyi state and the flood disaster in Osopong 1&2 of Obubra LGA. Cross River State” move by senator professor Sandy Onor representing C’River Central Senatorial district in the national assembly.
In the motion, Onor noted that the growing scarcity of land and the changing dynamic survival have conspired to alter the peace and good neighborliness between the people in these border areas who have had a long history of socio-cultural, economic and political affinities.
He said, the people of Biase in Cross River are in constant war with the Eda of Ebonyi state, Adama group of villages in CRS are also embroiled in clashes with the Ndi-Amagu of Ebonyi state, while the Izzi of Ebonyi are in permanent altercation with the Eja, Appiapumtet and Ijibolo of Osopong, Obubra LGA of Cross River State.
Also, the IZZi of Ebonyi state have been enmeshed in long periods of bitter cross boundary community wars with their Ukelle neighbours of Cross River State. These interminable wars he said leave in their wake tales of blood, tears and destruction between the affected communities in both states.
He expressed worried that the Osopong people are currently groaning, no thanks to the devastated flood that has ravaged their rich farmlands and habitations coupled with the unending war with their Izzi neighbours
Prof. Onor opined that unless a functional solution is sought and mutual agreement reached between aggrieved parties across the boundaries, the area may remain engulfed in attacks and retaliatory attacks with attendant brutal and unwholesome consequences for all and sundry.
Meanwhile, the senate condemned the killings, kidnapping and destruction of properties in the affected areas in CR and Ebonyi state respectively.
The senate also directed the National Boundary Commission to accelerate the formal delineation of the entire stretch of boundary between CRS and Ebonyi state.
It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to avail the people of Osopong and IZZi communities the necessary support; materials and aid required to make their lives meaningful again.
The Senate however, appealed to the CRS and Ebonyi state governments to initiate and/or heighten the peace processes in those areas.
