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| HRM Ophot Felix Akposi, Clanhead of Uyanga in Akamkpa, CRS |
Nyok|27 October 2018
His Royal Highness Ophot Felix Akposi, the Erembe III Ikami and Clan Head of Uyanga community in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State, Friday, denied the information published in mainstream media and making the rounds that his community is instigating a communal crisis against a sister neighbouring community, Ojor NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
Chief Akposi who disclosed that his Council of Chiefs and people are surprised at the remark by Ojor that there is an instigation, said he is not aware of such a problem against the Ojor people.
This development is coming on the heels of the report published by Pillar (Vol. 3, No. 2) of 8 to 15 October 2018 where Ojor traditional rulers and people sent an SOS appeal to the Executive Governor of the State, Sen. Ben Ayade, claiming that Uyanga community is instigating a communal conflict against them by blocking the only road that leads in and out of their community.
His words, ‘We are not struggling for land, we don’t struggle for any other thing, we don’t stop them from passing from their community through the road, even today’s market, many of them are in our market square here buying and selling, passing here to different destinations for their personal business, we are very surprised for them to write to the Governor in their media saying that we disturb them, that we do not allow them to pass here. We have no problem with them.’
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| Ojor Road reportedly blocked but seen to have users moving to and fro from Ojor to Uyanga |
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| Friday was a market day both Ojor and Uyanga indigenes have passed to and fro this road |
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| Ojor Road is obviously not blocked |
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| Some Uyanga chiefs in ekpe Hall |
Speaking earlier Akposi further asserted that, ‘Until now we don’t know the source of their annoyance with us…We don’t know; and until now also we have never been to their place to fight them; after all, we are brothers and sisters, why should they come and fight us.’
Our news outfit further discovered that the crisis began in 2001 when the Ojor people initiated a fight against the Uyanga community. In July 2017 there was another incursion by the people of Ojor against them. Finally, on the 25th and 26th of December 2017 the Ojor community invaded Uyanga inflicting destruction of lives and loss of properties. No fewer than eight indigenes of Uyanga have been reportedly killed according to sources.
However, our news desk has seen houses, buildings, and properties destroyed and razed down by fire. The Igbo and Akwa Ibom communities leaders have confirmed the destruction of their properties, while painfully narrating their ordeal.
The Clan Head of Uyanga while calling on the state government to wade into addressing the challenge has informed that the Ojor people have sent an message to Uyanga informing them that come 25th and 26th of December 2018 they will strike the later.
NEGROIDHAVEN confirmed suspected Ojor indigenes passing to and fro the said Ojor road reportedly blocked by Uyanga. There seem to be a lingering and looming communal crisis.
The Divisional Police Officer of Uyanga, Mr J A Inuyashe declined commenting on the development except that he said his job is to ‘maintain law and order’ in the community.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN
Is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN
