Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Mr. Afegbua Rashid, has issued a stern directive to chiefs and leaders of Etono 2 and Biakpan communities to immediately disarm their restive youths following months of deadly conflict over land ownership.
The conflict, which resurfaced in March 2025, has resulted in significant loss of lives and property destruction as tensions escalated between the two communities in Biase Local Government Area.
According to the Deputy PRO of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Igri Ewa, the Commissioner summoned all chieftains from Biase LGA to his office in Calabar over the weekend where he delivered the ultimatum.
"The CP had to summon the Chairman of Biase LGA, Edodi Eyong, alongside other leaders and traditional chiefs of the two warring communities to his office," Ewa stated. "He gave them the tall order to return home and meet with their youths to work out peace amongst themselves."
The police spokesperson emphasized that the Commissioner specifically ordered the community leaders to disarm their youths or face sanctions, warning that failure to comply would result in the police enforcing peace through direct intervention.
This directive comes just days after Cross River Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, issued a similar warning to local government chairmen, threatening suspension if they failed to maintain peace in their jurisdictions.
The current situation represents a continuation of longstanding tensions between the communities. The previous Commissioner of Police, Olusegun Omosanyin, had also ordered disarmament exercises, suggesting persistent challenges in resolving the conflict.
Reports indicate that both communities have allegedly stockpiled weapons and implemented a concerning funding mechanism, with different age grades reportedly contributing one million naira every three months to purchase additional arms.
The police directive extends beyond Etono 2 and Biakpan to include other communities experiencing similar conflicts across Cross River State, signaling a broader crackdown on communal violence in the region.
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