Cross River cocoa farmer debunks alleged abduction

A cocoa farmer in Cross River State, Mr Asu Njor, has debunked abduction allegations against him by a colleague.

Njor, operating in the Abonita government cocoa estate in Etung Local Council, refuted the claim to reporters shortly after leaving the Area Command Police station in Okuni community, Ikom Local Council of the state.

Last week, one Mr Prince Mbu-Liku had raised the alarm, accusing Njor of abducting his 24-year-old worker, identified as Mike Igew, alongside two other workers who were later found in Ikom police station.

Njor accused Liku of raising a false alarm to tarnish his reputation, which he had invested so much in building. He said it was ridiculous that any right-thinking individual would associate him with the abduction of a worker.

He also alleged that Liku was attempting to assassinate his character by misinforming the public about his worker’s theft and seeking the governor’s intervention.

He said: “The false alarm raised by Mr Mbu Liku in the media space complaining of his missing worker and requesting the intervention of the Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu is unfounded and meant to mislead the public.

“Mike, a resident of the Etomi community, Etung Local Council of Cross River State, in company with Mr Emmanuel Chukwuma, a resident of Okundi community, Ikom Council, was caught with two accomplices in Block 7B/77 and Block 8C/77 at Abonita stealing cocoa pods.

“The government allottees apprehended them and handed them over to the police at Agbokim Police Station, who later handed them over to the Area Command. The Investigating Police Officer (IPO), upon taking their statements, released two of the hired labourers on bail while recommending Mike Igwe, Nwadike and Francis Chukwuma for prosecution.

“The same Mike, whom Liku claimed was missing, in the early hours of July 26, and Emmanuel Chukwuma, in the company of others numbering about 30, were sighted at Abonita cocoa estate stealing cocoa under the cover of some men in military uniform.

“I begin to wonder what would prompt men of the Nigerian Army to engage in the settlement of petty issues and disagreement, harassing and intimidating Agbokim community locals.

“Many of them have stooped so low to be working for Mr Mark Prince Mbu Liku, giving him and his cohorts cover to encroach into people’s cocoa farms at Abonita government cocoa estate.

“The harvest and plunder of cocoa beans from farms in possession by government allottees has continued. A case at hand is that of Mike Igwe and Emmanuel Chukwuma, who were arrested on July 29 and 30 and were forced to be released by the IPO through the intervention of the Commanding Officer, Afi Barracks.”

Reacting, Army Public Relations Officer, 13 Brigade Headquarters Akim Barracks Calabar, Captain Jamila Jumoh, said she has no knowledge of the allegations but promised to reach out to the persons concerned.