By Patrick Obia
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The lingering communal crisis between the Nko and Onyadama of Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas respectively of Cross River State has claimed not less than four lives in a fierce face-to-face engagement.
A reliable source told CrossRiverWatch that, the crisis which is becoming a monthly ritual started yesterday Friday 24, 2022, in less than fifteen days eight people were killed in the rejuvenated conflict.
The source said it started when men of the Nigerian Army stationed at the boundary of both communities, released two sons of Nko who were allegedly arrested in the former face-off; the release the Onyadama people were not happy about hence, igniting the current situation.
“Last week Thursday men of the Nigerian Army stationed at the boundary of both communities, released two boys from Nko who were arrested in the last crisis earlier this month.
“Yesterday morning, the Nko and Onyadama people engaged themselves in another war. This time, they go supernatural. Four people have been killed from Onyadama, and many have been wounded from both sides.
“They are fighting through the bush and some part of the road; when the Army go this way, they face themselves this other way and vice-versa; they have been shooting sporadically.
“For the Chiefs of both communities, the peace they started making ended in deadlock; peace has vanished, they said they want to fight themselves first before thinking of peace again.”
At the time of filing this report, the fight is ongoing as more personnel of the Nigerian Army have been drafted to quell the rowdy scene.
Meanwhile, an unidentified police officer is reportedly shot by the Army at Nko community.
Also, two people were reportedly caught with locally made pistols and charms by Nko youths who mounted a stop and search, suspected to have been heading to Oyandama.
Watch.
