By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
A Cross River-born cleric and former bishop in Uganda, Bishop Joseph Abeng, has condemned the renewed communal clashes between Ofatura and Ovonum communities in Obubra Local Government Area of the state, alleging that more than 50 persons have been killed in the violence.
In an interview, Bishop Abeng appealed to both communities to embrace peace and pursue an amicable resolution of the lingering dispute, warning against further bloodshed and destruction.
The spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the crisis in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said the conflict began after an alleged cassava theft incident, which later escalated into a dispute over land ownership.
“The Command confirms that a communal misunderstanding occurred between Ofatura and Ovonum communities in Obubra LGA following a report of alleged cassava theft which was later discovered to be connected to a land dispute,” the statement said.
Akata added that security operatives intervened promptly, leading to peace talks between the warring communities. According to him, both parties agreed to maintain peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Bishop Abeng, who hails from the area, said the deployment of soldiers and policemen by the state government had helped to contain the violence, which he noted had resulted in widespread killings and destruction of property.
He further alleged that one of the communities recruited mercenaries to bolster its strength, claiming the opposing side had the backing of several retired senior security officers. He, however, stated that the mercenaries were eventually neutralised during the clashes.
“As we speak this morning, the number of casualties from the conflict is more than 50. Most of those killed are the mercenaries,” the cleric alleged. “Several houses and equipment have also been destroyed on both sides.”
The bishop further claimed that despite the heavy presence of security personnel, isolated attacks and killings reportedly continued until Monday night before community leaders were later released by authorities.
According to him, the Ovonum community had been retaliating against what it perceived as suppression and alleged land encroachment by the Ofatura people. He added that prior to the escalation of the conflict, youths from both communities had been summoned by the paramount ruler of the Adon Kingdom, but efforts at reconciliation failed as the parties allegedly refused to heed the intervention.
