A fresh clash between Ukwa Community in Cross River and Isu Community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State has claimed the life of a woman identified as Mrs Blessing Kalu Elem, while many others have been injured, Sahara Reporter reports.
Mrs Elem was reportedly slaughtered after invaders suspected to be from Ukwa Community allegedly raided Isu Community on Friday and Saturday.
The President General of Isu Community, Amara Kalu, said that some of the locals who ran into the bush during the Saturday raid are yet to be accounted for, adding that those who were wounded had been taken to different hospitals where they are currently being treated.
Kalu said on Monday that the invaders struck from unexpected locations on Friday and Saturday and that while the deceased was killed during the Friday raid, over 15 locals were maimed in Saturday’s attack.
He said that no fewer than 50 residents of Isu Community have been claimed since the border clash started in 2018, stressing that the discovery of limestone in the area in commercial quantity must have made their neighbouring Cross River Community to start dragging their ancestral land with them.
According to Kalu, many villagers had been rendered homeless following a series of attacks by the Cross River neighbours.
He lamented that the invaders had gone beyond the disputed area to lay claims on their ancestral homes “where we are living”
Kalu, who regretted that previous administrations in the state had neglected and abandoned the affected Isu persons, commended the current efforts of Governor Alex Otti-led government to resolve the dispute.
It was reported that Governor Otti, during a visit to the devastated community, had ordered the immediate transfer of scores of gunshot victims to a specialist hospital for proper medical attention with attendant bills to be fully paid by the state Government.
Otti was quoted as saying, “I have communicated with the government of Cross River State to call her people to order and stop further infiltration.
“The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, is saddened over this obnoxious act and enjoins you to remain calm as the government is working hand in glove with the security agencies to ensure that checkpoints are mounted at all entry points into Isu, as well as constitute a patrol team. His condolences are with you.”
