We won’t yield our land to C/River —A/Ibom elders

Elders from boundary communities of Akwa Ibom have vowed that they would not cede any part of the state to Cross River, even as the Federal Government continues in its effort to end the 50-year-old boundary dispute between the two sister states.

This is even as they have accused the Cross River state government of complacency in renewed attacks on Akwa Ibom fishermen by Ikot Offiong people with the assistance of mercenaries from Cross River two days after a peace meeting between the two states brokered by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

Addressing journalists in Uyo, the State capital, the spokesperson of the elders drawn from Itu, Ibiono Ibom and Uruan councils, Dr Ekong Demson, warned that the people of the area could be forced to take the law into their hands if the perpetrators of the latest attacks were not brought to book by the Federal Government.

“It is surprising and unbelievable that barely two days after the parley, the people of Ikot Offiong and hired mercenaries from Cross River state, armed with sophisticated weapons attacked defenceless fishermen along the river in Itu, killing one Ifiok Ita Ekpo from Idu Uruan and seized several boats and fishing nets.

“We are not unmindful of the fact that key functionaries of Cross River state origin, both at the state and federal levels are neck deep in the sponsorship of this mayhem in the peace loving people of Akwa Ibom state who are law abiding and engaging in lawful economic activities in their territory.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government through the National Boundary Commission, to investigate and bring the culprits to book otherwise we will be left with no option than to resort to self help.” Demson said.

He explained that Ikot Offiong remained a gazetted village in Itu LG of Akwa Ibom and warned that the elders would not tolerate any attempt by the community in alliance with officials of Cross River state government to cede the land occupied by the people to Cross River state.

“We can respect and  tolerate their intent to remain in Cross River but they cannot do so by carrying Akwa Ibom land to Cross River. Although we want peace, we cannot do so by ceding Akwa Ibom land to Cross River. We are, therefore, calling on the commission to stick to the ancient boundaries,” he maintained.