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By David Odama
The Cross River State House of Assembly Tuesday expressed worry over continued attack on Ikun Community in Biase Local government area of the state by the people of Okon in Ohafia LGA of Abia State.
Accordingly, the House has adopted resolutions calling on the State Government through its relevant Agencies, including the State Boundary Commission, to liaise with the Federal Boundary Commission to realign the boundary between the two neighboring border communities to prevent violence.
The House also call on the State Government to liaise with the Abia State counterpart to intervene in the looming crisis, deploy armed security personnel to Ikun as well as establish military and police posts at the boundary between the two neighboring communities.
These resolutions were adopted following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance brought before the House by the Member representing Biase State Constituency, Hon Francis Ogban Onette.
Onette recalled his earlier complaint on the floor of the House about the activities of the Okon-Ohafia people of Abia State who had removed the half stump of the beacon stone which demarcates the two neighboring communities.
He also informed the Assembly that the Okon people had recently entered Ikun territory to clear and demarcate farmlands for themselves in preparation for the next farming season adding that this can lead to communal clashes.
” It shows that they are ready to attack the peace-loving people of the Ikun community. This provocation, if not handled with care, can lead to communal clashes…like it happened in 1996″.
The Biase Lawmaker called on his colleagues to support the matter to prevent loss of lives and property adding that the encroachment may be as a result of the rich mineral resources present in Ikun.
In their reactions, the Lawmakers expressed concern over the matter while recalling their earlier resolution calling for urgent government intervention to prevent crisis and protect lives and property..
They further stressed that government’s primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property of citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended).
In his closing remarks, the Speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem commended the Lawmakers for their concern over the plight of the Ikun people and assured that the 10th Assembly will not relent in it’s efforts at legislation that will protect and improve the lives of Cross Riverians
