A cocoa farmer in Cross River, Asu Njoh, has refuted the accusations made by another farmer, Mac Prince Mbu-Liku, claiming that he abducted his 24-year-old worker named Mike.
Njoh, a cocoa farmer in Agbonita Government Cocoa Estate, denied the accusation in a conversation with Tribune Online about the abduction of one of Mac Prince’s workers after leaving the Area Command police station in Okuni community, Ikom local government area on Tuesday.
Mark Price Mbu Liku raised concerns last week, claiming that a cocoa farmer had abducted his worker, a man named Mike.
However, upon findings at the Area command in Okuni, Ikom local government area, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Frank Akanonu, reported that Mike Igwe, one of Mark Prince’s employees, was released by the command along with three other suspects in a case involving Mark Prince Mbu Liku and Mr ASU Njor.
He claimed that Mbu Liku had intentionally raised a false alarm to damage the reputation he had worked hard for. He emphasised that it was illogical for anyone to believe that he was involved in the abduction of a worker.
“The false alarm raised by Mr Mbu Liku in the media space complaining of his missing worker by name Mike, requesting for intervention of Cross River state governor, Bassey Otu, is unfounded and meant to mislead the public.
“Mike a resident of Etomi community, Etung local government area of Cross River State in the company of one Mr Emmanuel Chuckwuma a resident of Okundi community, Ikom local government area was caught with two accomplices in Block 7B/77 and Block 8C/77 at Abonita stealing cocoa pods.
“They were apprehended by the allottees of government and handed over to police at Agbokim Police station, who later handed them over to the Area Command.
“The Investigating Police Officer IPO upon taking their statements, released 2 of the hired laborers’ on bail, while Mike Igwe-Nwadike and Francis Chukwuma were proceeded for prosecution.
“The same Mike who Mbu Liku claimed to be missing, in the early hours of July 26, 2024, Emmanuel Chukwuma, in company of others numbering 30 were sighted at Abonita cocoa estate stealing cocoa under the cover of some men in military uniform.
“I begin to wonder what would prompt men of the Nigerian Army to engage in settlement of petty issues and disagreement, harassing and intimidating Agbokim community locals.
“A lot of them have stooped so low to be working for the said Mr Mark Prince Mbu Liku, giving him and his cohorts cover to encroach into people’s cocoa farms at Abonita government cocoa estate.
“The harvest and plunder cocoa beans from farms in possession by government allottees. In like manner, Mr. Victor Bekeh and Thomas Inambi on August 2, 2024, were chased out of Block 7c/77 by seven soldiers allegedly sent by Mark Prince Mbu-Liku.
“And when the men engaged by Mbu Liku to invade people’s farms are arrested by police, Army men purported to have left their duty post at Afi Barracks, Edor Ikom local government area on the order of their superior storm the police station and released suspects, interfering with the legal process.
“A case at hand is that of Mike Igwe, and Emmanuel Chukwuma, who were arrested on July 29 and 30, 2024and were forced to be released by the IPO through the intervention of the Commanding Officer (CO), Afi Barracks, pressuring the Area Commander, Akanonu Frank for the release of suspects who were eventually released.”
Reacting to the issue, Army Public Relations Officer 13 Brigade headquarters, Akim Barracks Calabar, Captain Jamila Jumoh, who said she had no knowledge of the allegations promised to dig into the matter before making any comment.
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