Boki East Crisis: Police Confirm 3 Dead, Deploy Top Officers

By Andy Ukweni

The Police in Cross River State have confirmed the death of three in the Okwabang and Beebo crisis.

CrossRiverWatch had reported that at least two died when both communities clashed over a piece of farmland in the eastern Boki communities.

And, the Cross River Police Command on Monday, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mrs. Irene Ugbo confirmed CrossRiverWatch‘s reportage on the cause of the crisis and denied reports that almost a dozen people were killed.

Ugbo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police in the statement said that only three had died with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa deploying senior Police officers to the area to restore calm.

Those deployed include the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, the Ikom Area Commander, the Squadron Commander of the 11 PMF (Police Mobile Force) Calabar, conventional and anti riot Policemen.

“The Cross River State Police Command wishes to strongly refute reports of the killing of eleven (11) persons from Okwabang and Bebo communities of Boki East, Boki local government area of Cross River State as earlier reported in some media,” the statement read.

It continued: “Contrary to the reports, on 8/03/2018 following a land dispute, a farmer from Okwabang community shot and killed another farmer from Beebo community in the bush.

“As a result, the suspect was arrested by his kinsmen and handed over to the Police but the people of Beebo community were not satisfied with that effort put up to pacify the situation.

“Quickly reinforcing themselves for a reprisal launched an attacked against Okwabang community. In the process, two (2) more persons were killed.

“In a swift response, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Cross River State, CP Hafiz Inuwa has ordered some top Police Officers to relocate to troubled spots in Boki local government area.”

Also, “peace talks between the two warring communities are ongoing with a view to restoring peace and security of lives and properties to the communities,” the Police said.