The Cross River State Police Command has announced plans to launch a major disarmament operation in Biakpan and Etono communities in Biase Local Government Area following deadly clashes that have reportedly claimed up to 40 lives in the past three months.

Commissioner of Police, Olusegun Omosanyin, disclosed this while speaking with reporters in Calabar. He expressed frustration over both communities' failure to embrace reconciliation efforts despite interventions from various security agencies and concerned dignitaries.

"We cannot continue to witness these wanton killings. No Nigerian has the right to take another life under the provisions of the Constitution. I warned them that their conduct is pushing the government to the edge," Omosanyin stated.

The Commissioner summoned the Chairman of Biase LGA, Hon. Edodi Edodi Eyong, along with traditional rulers and youth leaders from both communities to the state police command headquarters in Calabar on Wednesday. He revealed that earlier invitations to youth leaders had been ignored, describing this as an act of defiance that would no longer be tolerated.

"We will move into both communities and disarm their gunmen. If they refuse to surrender their weapons peacefully, we will initiate a full-scale disarmament operation involving all armed forces in the state," the Commissioner warned.

According to sources, the conflict has deep roots, with Biakpan claiming they have a Supreme Court judgment authorizing their acquisition of Etono 2. The violence reportedly escalated following allegations that Chairman Eyong led gunmen to destroy properties belonging to prominent Biakpan indigenes, including worship centers owned by spiritual leader His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, on suspicions that arms were being stockpiled at those locations.

Further tension allegedly arose after food palliatives sent by the spiritual leader to both communities were rejected and vandalized by Etono youths, provoking retaliation from Biakpan youths.

Chairman Eyong has denied taking sides in the conflict or snubbing peace efforts. "It's not true that I support Etono because my wife is from there—she is not. As chairman of Biase LGA, I cannot afford to be partial in matters involving my communities," he said.

He added, "I welcome the involvement of any individual or organization willing to restore peace. I hold His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu in high regard; he is an asset to both Biase and Cross River State."

The state government and other security agencies have reportedly made several attempts to restore peace, including recent visits by the State Security Adviser (South) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, but these efforts have yet to yield lasting results.