Mr Odey Wonah, the Member representing Yala 1 State Constituency in Cross River, has called for the immediate deployment of security agents to the Ochongo community to protect the lives and properties of its people.
During a plenary session at the Cross River House of Assembly in Calabar, Wonah alleged that the Ochongo community in Yache Ward, Yala Local Government Area, was facing attacks 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, the Member representing Obubura 1 State Constituency, noted that urgent action was needed for peace to return to the community and its surroundings.
Dickson highlighted that Yala LGA produces a large portion of food consumed in Cross River and beyond, adding that if nothing was done to allow the people to go back to their farms, there would be hunger in 2024.
Also supporting the motion, Obi Bette, the Member representing Boki 1, emphasized that it was not enough to make motions in plenary but to swiftly move into the area to prevent further bloodshed.
“We have a new government, and security matters should be on the front burner. Therefore, 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.
Mr Ogiji Achadu, representing Yala 2 State Constituency, expressed concern that the crisis could spread to nearby communities if not promptly addressed, which would also impact the state’s food supply.
Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, condemned the killing of a community member and disclosed that such crises were common during farming seasons.
Ayambem assured that the house would take swift action to prevent any form of escalation.
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