Lawmaker condemns renewed communal clash in C/River

Sen. John Owan-Enoh, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, has condemned the renewed hostility between Ediba and Usumotong communities in Abi Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued on Monday by Owan-Enoh and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday, quoted the lawmaker as saying that the conflict, which has claimed many lives in both communities, is coming at a time when peace-building efforts are beginning to yield positive results.

NAN reports that at least 10 persons have lost their lives in the renewed conflict between the two communities from Nov. 18 to Nov. 19.

“It is with pain in my heart that I learnt of another round of bloodletting between the people of Ediba and Usumotong communities both of Abi local government area in the central senatorial district.

“This carnage and wide spread destruction, which I was informed claimed the precious lives of our people, is coming at this point when our peacemaking effort had seemingly begun to work.

“In spite of this, my belief in the sanctity of human life and the right of our people to peaceful co-existence remains unshakable.

“It is in the light of the above that I unreservedly condemn this latest round of hostilities and urgently call on the warring communities to sheath their swords and embrace peace,” the statement quoted Owan-Enoh as saying.

According to the statement, the lawmaker also urged both communities to shun acts capable of further breaching the peace in the area.

He called on security agencies to secure the affected area and urged the royal fathers in both communities to use their exalted positions to promote peace at all times.

Similarly, Mr Jude Ngaji, the Security Adviser to the Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade, has expressed displeasure at the renewed hostilities.

“My office had to set up a 10-man committee comprising five people each from the two communities to avert further clashes.

“Suddenly, I was called and informed that trouble had started again and many persons had been killed,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, ASP Irene Ugbo, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, has said that the command has deployed sufficient policemen to the area to maintain peace in the two communities.