By Emma Una
CALABAR — Police on Sunday rescued 10 persons who were being held in Ijegwu community, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, following renewed tensions between the community and neighbouring Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were reportedly detained after violence erupted in the border communities following the killing of two persons in Uware Council Ward, Benue State. The incident was linked to the reported beating to death of a man alleged to have attempted to steal a goat on June 26.
The rescued persons were handed over by the Area Commander for Ogoja, DSP Collins Ekuogu, to the Chairman of Konshisha Local Government Area, Mr. Moses Terfa, in the presence of the Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Dr. Fred Okem, and the Divisional Police Officer of Konshisha, CSP Torinya Joe.
The Area Commander urged the affected communities to maintain peace while authorities conclude investigations, including autopsies on those who lost their lives before their remains are released to their families for burial.
Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Dr. Fred Okem, described the violence as unfortunate, noting the long-standing relationship between the people of Cross River and Benue states.
“Benue is like a younger brother to Cross River. We share many social and economic ties. Those who travelled from Cross River to Benue and were caught up in the crisis were victims of circumstance,” he said.
Okem appealed to both communities to embrace peace and avoid further hostilities, while commending the police for their swift intervention in de-escalating the situation.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Konshisha Local Government Area, Mr. Moses Terfa, called for reconciliation, urging residents on both sides of the border to put the incident behind them and work towards restoring peaceful coexistence.
He noted that the economies of both states are closely linked, with traders from Cross River doing business in Benue and many Benue residents working in Cross River, stressing the need to preserve the long-standing relationship between the neighbouring communities.
