The Cross River State Police Command has announced plans to launch a major disarmament operation in Biakpan and Etono communities in Biase Local Government Area following months of renewed violence and refusal by local leaders to cooperate with peace efforts.
Commissioner of Police, Olusegun Omosanyin, disclosed this while speaking with DAILY POST in Calabar.
He stated that both brotherly communities have failed to embrace reconciliation efforts despite the interventions of various security agencies, and concerned dignitaries.
Witnesses and other sources have informed that the resurgence of deadly clashes between both communities in the last three months has resulted in fewer than 40 persons losing their lives.
The Commissioner summoned the Chairman of Biase LGA, Hon. Edodi Edodi Eyong, as well as traditional rulers and youth leaders from both communities to the state police command headquarters in Calabar on Wednesday.
He revealed that earlier invitations to the youth leaders were ignored, which he described as an act of defiance that will no longer be tolerated.
“We cannot continue to witness these wanton killings. No Nigerian has the right to take another life under the provisions of the Constitution. I warned them that their conduct is pushing the government to the edge,”;; Omosanyin said.
“We will move into both communities and disarm their gunmen. If they refuse to surrender their weapons peacefully, we will initiate a full-scale disarmament operation involving all armed forces in the state.”;;
He added that the state government and other security agencies have made several attempts to restore peace, including recent visits by the State Security Adviser (South) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
“Biakpan and Etono 2 have been a major security concern. Biakpan claims they have a Supreme Court judgment authorizing their acquisition of Etono 2, but that is not the issue at hand now,”;; he said.
Sources allege that the violence escalated following claims that Chairman Eyong led gunmen to destroy properties belonging to prominent Biakpan indigenes, including worship centers owned by the spiritual leader, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu. The move was allegedly based on suspicions that arms were being stockpiled at those locations.
Further tension reportedly arose after food palliatives sent by the spiritual leader to both communities were allegedly rejected and vandalized by Etono youths, provoking a backlash from Biakpan youths.
In response to the allegations, Chairman Eyong denied taking sides or snubbing the spiritual leader’s peace efforts.
“It’s not true that I support Etono because my wife is from there—she is not. As chairman of Biase LGA, I cannot afford to be partial in matters involving my communities,”;; he said.
“I welcome the involvement of any individual or organization willing to restore peace.
“I hold His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu in high regard; he is an asset to both Biase and Cross River State.”;;
