Abuja – In a decisive move to address the ongoing violence and boundary disputes in Cross River state, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District at the 10th National Assembly, presented a motion of Urgent National Importance on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, 21st May 2024. The motion specifically called for immediate action to halt the persistent killings and boundary conflicts in Odukpani Local Government Area NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
Senator Ekpenyong highlighted the dire situation in Odukpani, emphasizing that both the local government area and the State at large have been severely affected by land and boundary disputes. A significant part of his address focused on the prolonged conflict between the Ukwa community in Odukpani and the Isu community in Abia State, which has resulted in substantial loss of life and property.
“The sad reality is that Odukpani Local Government Area, in particular, and Cross River State, in general, have been plagued by land and boundary disputes,” Senator Ekpenyong remarked. “The long-standing boundary dispute between the Ukwa community of Odukpani and the Isu community of Abia State has claimed a substantial number of lives and destroyed properties.”
Expressing his concern about the potential for further violence, Ekpenyong urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent additional reprisal attacks and restore peace in the affected areas.
“If the Federal Government does not move fast to quell the situation and restore peace and order in these communities, there may be more reprisal attacks by aggrieved parties,” he warned.
The Senate responded to Senator Ekpenyong’s motion by unanimously adopting his proposed measures. These included the condemnation of the killings, observing a minute of silence in honor of the deceased, and calling for the intervention of the Inspector General of Police to establish a police barracks in the Ukwa community. Additionally, the Senate urged the immediate involvement of the National Boundary Commission and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to properly demarcate the disputed boundaries and provide support to the victims.
“The Senate’s unanimous adoption of these measures underscores our collective commitment to addressing this urgent issue,” Senator Ekpenyong noted. “The establishment of a police barracks and the intervention of the National Boundary Commission and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs are critical steps towards achieving lasting peace and stability in our communities.”
