Boki –Pius Abang, popularly known as Jojo Armani, a former House of Representatives aspirant, has come under intense fire on social media following fresh allegations that he is sponsoring violent attacks on residents of Boje community in Boki Local Government Area, Cross River State NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
The accusations follow a disturbing incident on Monday, in which over 20 armed youths, reportedly from Esobenghe community, allegedly attacked farmers in Boje farmlands, leaving several injured and some allegedly abducted.
Leading the assault, according to eyewitness reports, was one Jerry, identified as Jojo Armani’s Personal Assistant. Eyewitnesses claim the group opened fire on innocent farmers tending to their fields.
“Jerry and his gang opened fire on Boje people while they were on their farms, injuring some and taking others captive,” wrote Glow Jimcathy, who also shared a video of a wounded survivor who managed to escape.
Online reactions suggest that the root of the latest violence may lie in the long-delayed boundary demarcation process between Boje and Esobenghe communities. Critics allege that Jojo Armani and his associates are deliberately stalling peace efforts and using violence to prevent the resolution of the boundary crisis.
“Jojo Armani is the sponsor of what is happening. They don’t want the boundary to be demarcated because they know they’re on the losing side,” claimed Ebu Godfrey in a widely circulated Facebook post.
Some community members believe the violence is politically motivated and accuse Armani of attempting to destabilize Boje to retain influence and control in the region.
“God thank you for stopping him from winning the election,” another user wrote, referring to Armani’s unsuccessful bid for a House of Representatives seat.
Peace vs Provocation: Boje Cries Out
Frustration continues to grow among Boje residents, who say their calls for peace are repeatedly met with aggression.
“Boje people have been advocating for peace while Isobenghe hoodlums are advocating for destruction,” said Asu Besong, adding that previous reconciliation efforts had been undermined by calculated provocations.
Another user vented: “This is becoming unbearable. The Amani JoJo and Jerry una well done o. No wonder they say, ‘by their fruits, we shall know them.’”
The alleged attack is the latest in a recurring cycle of intercommunal violence, with Boje and Esobenghe locked in a fragile relationship defined by land disputes, broken truces, and bloodshed.
Despite multiple peace attempts in the past, many believe the escalation is now being driven by political actors using loyalists and foot soldiers to pursue selfish agendas at the expense of lives and livelihoods.
As of press time, neither Jojo Armani nor his alleged associate Jerry had issued public statements in response to the accusations, and the Cross River State Government has not yet commented officially on the incident.
Observers and civil society actors are now urging Governor Bassey Otu to intervene decisively and investigate the growing claims of political sponsorship of violence in the area.
“Boki land deserves peace, not politics of blood,” a resident warned. “The state government must arrest this drift into anarchy before it consumes us all.”
Until then, Boje farmers remain unable to safely access their land, and Esobenghe-Boje relations remain on edge—held hostage by silence, suspicion, and the shadow of unchecked political power.
As at press time, every effort to establish contact with Abang has proven abortive as the ownership of his known phone number was denied by a male voice when NEGROIDHAVEN called.
