By Itiunbe Atunka and Ushang Ewa
No fewer than four suspected gangstars have been arrested in the past 72 hours following the renewal of gang wars in Obudu local government area of northern Cross River State.
The war is between the Klans konfraternity and the Supreme Vikings Confraternity commonly known as Baggars and began on Tuesday night following a disagreement at a hangout spot known as ‘De blue Genesis’ located along Anderson street.
One Savior Ogar Odey, son to late martial arts master, Ogar Odey and suspected to be a member of the Klans gang is said to have been taking pictures when he mistakenly took images of members of the Baggars gang seated there also.
The Baggars gang which comprised of one ‘Black Face’ and ‘Ata-Amaru’ son to a late chief, Benco Akamabe requested he deletes the images.
Savior is said to have deleted the images and left a remark that he did it not because he was scared, but because he was trying to prevent an unnecessary face off.
This is said to have angered the Baggars gang and a disagreement ensued but was quelled shortly after.
“On Wednesday morning, the Baggars gang attacked Savior in his residence along Anderson street and beat him to pulp. He survived and was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries,” a neighbor (names withheld) told CrossRiverWatch.
This is said to have sparked a battle and led to the attack on several members of both gangs which culminated in the shooting of an unnamed 17 year old Senior Secondary Class two (2) student of Federation college Wednesday night at St. Patrick’s primary school along Ogoja road.
The student, suspected to be a ‘Klans man’ survived the shot and is receiving treatment while not far from the scene, another suspected gang member and footballer popularly referred to as ‘Junior’ was chased by a rival gang.
His belongings were then brought outside to be burnt only for his mother to intervene and lie on top of them crying that she will be burnt alongside her son’s belongings.
As at Thursday morning, another gang member also sustained machete cuts in Bebuawhan village which is in the outskirts of the Obudu main town located about 300 kilometers north of Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The atmosphere is said to be tense with the Police division in Obudu arresting one ‘JJ’ suspected to be the leader of the Baggars gang who operates a phone repair shop opposite the branch of a new generation bank close to the market.
Also, one artisan named ‘Goddy’ was arrested along Ukwel-Obudu road. Another suspected gangstar, ‘Atsu’ popularly referred to as ‘Breeze’ has been arrested among others CrossRiverWatch gathered.
However, neighbors are at loss about the role of ‘Breeze’ as he is said not to be a gangstar but associates with members of the rival gangs.
Efforts to confirm this from the Police division in Obudu failed as three calls to the phone lines of the Divisional Police Officer, Supol Eyo Lifu were not taken as at press time.