Residents fleeing Odonget community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State have accused soldiers of preventing them from returning to bury relatives killed during last week’s clash with troops.
The soldiers, drawn from 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the 245 Battalion, Edor Barracks, were deployed to the area following unrest linked to illegal mining activities.
Locals claim corpses still litter parts of the community after the violence, with families unable to retrieve or bury their dead.
An Odonget youth leader, Theo Abeng, who spoke from neighbouring Ochon village, said he and two others attempted to re-enter Odonget to arrange burials but were fired upon by soldiers.
“The soldiers opened fire on us. One of the boys was killed and we had to flee, leaving his body behind. We also saw bodies from last week still decomposing because they have not been buried,” he alleged.
He added that troops maintain a heavy presence in the village, with rotating patrols during the day and night.
Abeng further alleged that some soldiers were complicit in illegal mining, accusing them of seizing precious stones, such as reportedly tin ore, from miners, many of whom he claimed were from northern Nigeria.
The crisis reportedly began on March 11 after a miner, identified as Ibrahim Musa, was allegedly assaulted by youths at a checkpoint, where his minerals were also seized.
Sources said the miner reported the incident to soldiers at the 245 Battalion near Ochon, prompting troops to move into the area to arrest suspects.
Tensions escalated when other youths blocked access roads and confronted the soldiers, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which several persons were injured.
The situation worsened after two soldiers were reportedly killed in the clash, triggering the deployment of additional troops to the community.
However, the Nigerian Army said its presence in Odonget was to restore order. In a statement on March 12, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, described the deployment as a stabilisation measure.
He said troops were later ambushed by unidentified gunmen after leaving the area, forcing them to respond.
“During the engagement, troops neutralised four of the armed attackers, while several others escaped,” Sokoya stated.
He maintained that the show of force by the military had helped to calm tensions and restore normalcy in the community.
It is understood that I he special adviser to Governor Bassey Otu, Major General Obono Ubi, visited the community few days ago.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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