…. Sue for Peace and Call Government to Delineate Boundary
In response to the aggravated communal arms conflict between the Igbekurikor and Ugaga communities of Yala LGA which has caused a sharp division between these two sister communities, a significant resolution meeting has taken place on the way forward.
These communities, once united by shared values and destinies, have become adversaries due to land disputes which has threatened their peaceful coexistence.
The meeting, attended by prominent elites from both communities, was called by Rt. Hon. Larry Odey, former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly. The resolutions were read to the press by Hon. Stella Oreme Odey, former Commissioner for Local Government, Cross River State.
The key resolutions are as follows:
1) The elites condemned in totality the escalating violence between Igbekurikor and Ugaga.
2) A total cessation of hostilities between the two communities was called for.
3) The elites shall visit both communities to engage with youths, elders, and chiefs on the benefits of peace and harmony.
4) The Cross River State government should as a matter of urgency delineate the disputed boundary to create a lasting understanding of expansion limits for both communities.
5) Initiation of a sensitization program to discourage drug abuse/misuse and other youthful habits that often lead to violence.
6) Additionally, the committee plans to extensively interact with the chiefs to invoke traditional laws that negate violence and to sympathize with families who have lost loved ones during the conflict.
When questioned by the publisher of the LeaderNg, Ebriku John Friday about security measures, Hon. Gabriel Bravo Oluohu assured the press that security measures are in collaboration with the peace efforts and involved all available security infrastructures in the area.
Former Commissioner for Information, Cross River State, Mr. Patrick Odey Ekawu, responded to inquiries about including other Yala communities in the peace process. He confirmed that there has been a synergy of interaction across the Yala communities with a unified message of peace.
Reacting as a security expert, Rear Admiral Clement Ogbeche (rtd) emphasized that security is a shared responsibility that can be effectively fulfilled through collaboration between security infrastructures and the people.
The meeting was attended by notable elites from Igbekurikor and Ugaga, including Rt. Hon. Larry Odey, Elder Godwin Agi, Hon. Patrick Odey Ekawu, Rear Admiral Clement Ogbeche, Dr. Stella Oreme Odey, Hon. Gabriel Bravo Oluohu, Mr. Sunday Ogar, Mr. Stephen Uja Wogor, and Sir Austin Ipuole.
