The Cross River State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all farming activities on the disputed parcel of land between Ekukunela-Alesi community in Ikom Local Council Area and Odonget/Ochon/Isabang community in Obubra LGA to bring peace to the area until proper boundary demarcation is carried out.

The state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, announced the decision during a meeting with community leaders and stakeholders of the two warring communities in Calabar on Tuesday. He also announced that the government would take over the disputed land until a lasting solution to the crisis is reached.

Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, also directed the community leaders and representatives from both Ikom and Obubra LGAs to submit all relevant documents on the crisis to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, who also chairs the peace committee.

The state government further announced the establishment of an eight-member peace committee to identify the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis and recommend a sustainable solution to the government.

The governor urged parties involved in the crisis to sheathe their sword and embrace peace, as the government will not condone any further acts of violence or defiance of government directives.

Governor Otu directed the chairmen of the affected local government areas, as Chief Security Officers of their jurisdictions, to ensure full compliance with the resolutions, threatening that failure to enforce these directives will attract immediate suspension from office.