The Director General, Cross River State Maritime Agency, Hon Bobby Effiom has been accused as a major personality who has taken side with one of the factions in the crisis currently going on in Ekenge village, Okoyong, Odukpani LGA.
According to some of the indigenes who did not want their names in print for fear of attack, the governor's aide has remained a prominent figure and a supporter of one of the warring factions perpetuating the crisis.
"he has the capacity to call some of the boys loyal to him to drop down their weapons and embrace peace and they will listen to him. He should do that so that peace can return back to this community"
Ekenge village, has become a killing field due to a kingship tussel between two families. According to sources knowledgeable about the matter, the disagreement that led to the crisis is between the Ekpenyong Ekpenyong and Edem Ekpenyong families. Bobby Effiom is from the Edem Ekpenyong family.
So far, over five persons have been reported dead, while several properties worth millions have been destroyed.
Another Indigen said it was important the Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade immediately steps in to the crisis currently going on in the village to avoid the destruction of more lives and properties.
One of the villagers who spoke with our reporter appealed to the governor to also set up an investigative panel of inquiry to unravel the remote cause of the crises with the aim of bringing it to an end.
Another Indigen of the place who is a retired military officer, Effiong Ekpo said the crisis has caused him and his family untold hardship as he could no longer continue with his farming business as a result of the killings.
"what we are calling for right now is for peace to reign in Ekenge. Enough of the killings, enough of the destructions. Let both warring factions drop down their weapons and embrace peace" Ekpo said.
Mr. Emmanuel Etok who also spoke with our reporters on telephone said he has always advocated for peace and as such, will never support any form of violence.
Attempts to reach Hon Bobby Effiom proved abortive as he was not responding to his calls.
Meanwhile, as Killings and destruction of properties continues unabted, investigation reveals that the village has been deserted, while criminals now parades the with dangerous weapons shooting at sight any person perceived to be enemies.
One of the villagers who decided to remain anonymous said he ran out of his village because of the violence and is now taking refuge in a nearby village "Even at that, some persons came to Akpap to burn the house of one of us, but were strongly resisted by youths of the community" he said.
They hope that the Cross River State government will immediately intervene in the matter and bring the disturbing issue to an end.
0 Comments