The Cross River State Police Command has intervened in the farmers–herders conflict in Odukpani Local Council following complaints from residents that cattle have been destroying farmland and that armed herders have allegedly intimidated villagers.

Farmers and landowners in several communities, including Ntan Obu, Okoyong, Atan Okoyong, Inua Akpa, and Okurikang, had earlier raised concerns about what they described as repeated invasions of their cultivated lands by cattle.

A native of Ntan Obu, Ikpeme Effiom, alleged that his farmlands had been repeatedly destroyed since last year. He claimed that herders with large herds of cattle had settled along river banks stretching from Itu in neighbouringAkwaIbom State through NtanObu to parts of the UkwaEburutu communities.

“These cows have ravaged nearby farms, and when villagers protest, the herders intimidate them with guns,” he said.

Similar concerns were raised during a live phone-in programme on Hit FM in Calabar, where callers alleged that cattle frequently graze on cultivated land and, in some cases, crops are uprooted to feed them. Some residents also claimed that villagers who resist the destruction face threats or intimidation.

Reacting to the complaints, the police said they had convened a stakeholders’ meeting to address the situation and prevent further tension.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the meeting brought together clan heads, village heads, youth leaders, women representatives and the Chairman of Cattle Rearers in the state to deliberate on the recurring dispute.

According to the police, community representatives reiterated complaints about cattle destroying farms, while the cattle rearers’ representative maintained that the Odukpani Local Council had previously issued warnings about grazing activities.

The police further disclosed that an allegation was raised during the meeting against a political officeholder regarding the alleged collection of N4 million from cattle rearers to permit grazing in the area.

The command said it had directed the clan head to report to the station with the concerned parties for clarification, but the directive had not yet been complied with as of press time.

The Secretary of the Okun and EniongAbatim Clan Council, Chief John Asanye, had earlier noted that, while he could not confirm incidents in NtanObu due to environmental changes in the riverine area, farmer–herder clashes had been frequent along the wider Okoyong axis since 2019.

The police advised all parties to remain calm and channel their grievances through lawful means, assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to clarify the issues and maintain peace in the affected communities.