By Patrick Obia
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on warring communities of Ugaga and Igbekurekor, as well as in Benekaba/Ujama Communities in Yala Local Government Area of the State.
The curfew, which is with immediate effect, Governor Otu said, is to forestall further loss of lives and property and to enable security agencies to deal decisively with the situation.
Governor Otu gave the directive in a release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, saying that his administration will not tolerate any form of violence that will threaten the peace of the State, calling the parties involved to sheath their sword.
“Following land and boundary disputes which have resulted in security threats leading to wanton destruction of lives and property, I, hereby, impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ugaga and Igbekurekor Communities of Yala Local Government Area, as well as in Benekaba and Ujama, respectively.
“The curfew is to enable security agencies to deal decisively with the situation in the affected communities and restore normalcy.
“While my administration has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to work out immediate interventions in terms of relief materials, I must reiterate that no community or individual has the monopoly to instigate crises and threaten the peace of any part of the State.
I urge the traditional institutions in the affected communities to immediately work to restore peace and amity as they will be held accountable for any further breakdown of law and order.
“I also urge our citizens in these communities to sheath their swords and give peace a chance. All those in the affected communities are advised, in their interest, to adhere strictly to this directive,” he said.