Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the four communities in Yala Local Government Area following a recent communal clash.

The affected areas are the Ugaga, Igbekurekor, Benekaba, and Ijama communities. The clashes, which have reportedly left seven people dead and scores injured, are believed to be rooted in land and boundary disputes.

The directive was contained in a statement by Governor Otu’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Ogbeche, on Tuesday in Calabar.

“The curfew is to enable security agencies to deal decisively with the situation in the affected communities and restore normalcy,”

Otu has also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to work out an immediate intervention in terms of relief materials for crisis victims.

He urged traditional rulers in the affected communities to immediately work out ways to restore peace and friendship, stating that he would hold them responsible for any further breakdown of law and order in their domains.

The governor also appealed to people in the affected communities to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance and he warned them to adhere strictly to the curfew in their own interest.
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