The member representing Yala 1 State Constituency in Cross River, Mr Odey Wonah, has demanded for immediate deployment of security agents to Ochongo community to protect lives and properties of the people.
Wonah, who made the request on the floor of the Cross River House of Assembly in Calabar during plenary, alleged that Ochongo community in Yache Ward, Yala Local Government Area was being attacked by campers from Benue state over farmlands.
Narrating the incident, he said, “My people have been living peacefully with these campers for years, they farm on our lands and pay royalties to the community but as the farming season commenced this year they started farming without paying anything.
“When some members of the Ochongo village approached them on the issue, they attacked them, one was killed and others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“My people are predominantly farmers but this season, they have stopped going to their farms for fear of being attacked; my prayers are that security agents be urgently sent there and perpetrators of the heinous crimes be brought to book,” he appealed.
Supporting the motion, Mr Agbor Dickson, Member Representing Obubura 1 State Constituency noted that something needed to be done urgently for peace to return in the community and those around it.
Dickson said Yala LGA produces a large portion of food consumed in Cross River and beyond adding that if nothing was done for the people to go back to their farms, there would be hunger in 2024.
Also supporting, Obi Bette, Member representing Boki 1 said it was not enough to make motions in plenary but to move quickly into the area to prevent further bloodshed.
“We have a new government and security matters should be at the front burner, so, it is important we call on the security adviser to the governor and other security agencies to move in quickly to prevent escalation,” he said.
For Mr Ogiji Achadu representing Yala 2 State Constituency, he said the crisis was contagious, adding that if nothing was done quickly, nearby communities would be affected and food supply in the state would also be affected.
On his part, Speaker of the House, Rt HonElvert Ayambem who condemned the killing of a community member disclosed that this kind of crisis was common during farming seasons.
Ayambem assured that the house would swing into action to prevent any form of escalation.
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