Three killed, houses burnt in Cross River community

Three persons have been reportedly shot dead, while several others were injured in a clash between two factions in Iko Esai Community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The crisis, which has lingered since last year, erupted on Sunday evening when the youth faction loyal to the old Village Head, Chief Obio Arong Owai, was celebrating the selection of a new Youth President (name unknown).

A community source who spoke to The Guardian said that one of the deceased, Christian Esiri, was shot dead by a man identified as Sunday, a relative of the old Village Head, Chief Owai Obio Arong. The other two victims were family members of Chief Arong.

According to the source, on Sunday afternoon, a factional youth executive loyal to Chief Arong was constituted. The new youth executive gathered at the village square, forming a blockade that prevented people from passing through.

When the incumbent Youth President arrived and attempted to pass through the gathering to his house, the new youth executive prevented him. This led to an altercation, during which a member of Chief Owai’s family, who was part of the new youth executive, shot and killed a person loyal to the incumbent Youth President.

The source disclosed that the same person had shot and wounded a town crier last year. The matter was reported to the police and the Chairman of the council, who ordered the suspect’s arrest, but he evaded capture.

The killing of a youth by Chief Owai’s family member led to the current rampage. It is also important to note that Chief Obio Arong Owai was dethroned last year by a section of the community.

So far, about three corpses have been recovered, including two women from Chief Owai’s family.

Additionally, about five houses have been destroyed, including Chief Owai’s compound. The death toll may rise due to machete wounds inflicted on some individuals. Chief Owai’s loyalists have reportedly fled to different locations, while the incumbent youths remain at the village square.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Uyanga, along with army personnel and police officers, is on the ground assessing the casualties and damage to properties.

“The angry youths started burning houses. We have all run away and left the village with our families. Some people are hiding in the bush, while others have fled to nearby communities like Agoi Ibami. As I speak with you, we are in Iko Ikperem community, where we ran for safety,” the source told The Guardian.

Another source, Savior Arong, who also fled with his family at about midnight, said, “The two factions have been fighting for years, with police and court cases. This time, one of them shot someone from the other camp, which led to the crisis. Houses have been burned down, and the community members have fled for safety.”

When contacted, the Cross River State Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono, declined to speak to The Guardian over the phone.

Similarly, the Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.