Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Folks from Isu Community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, have been thrown into mourning following the invasion of their community by their Ukwa neighbours from Cross River over the weekend.
The attack which occured on Friday and Saturday respectively, according to Ikengaonline findings, claimed the life of one Mrs Blessing Kalu Elem.
President General of Isu Community, Amara Kalu, who confirmed the attack to Ikengaonline, said about 15 other members of the community were wounded during the attacks.
He added that the whereabouts of some of the locals who fled into the forest during the raids, was still unknown.
The wounded villagers are currently receiving treatments in different medical facilities in the state.
He further lamented that no fewer than 50 members of Isu Community had been killed since the border dispute erupted in full force in 2018.
According to him, the discovery of lime stone in the area in commercial quantity is the reason their neighbouring Cross River Community wants to dispossess them of their ancestral land.
The PG who said many villagers had been rendered homeless following series of attacks by the Cross River neighbours, lamented that the invaders had gone beyond the disputed area to lay claims on their ancestral homes “where we are living.”
Kalu said that people displaced from the community had been living in the Internally Displaced Persons IDP camp under severe conditions.
“We have lost over 50 persons since 2018 alone. Although this crisis has been there since 1985 and 1995 when we clashed, none has lasted like the current case that began in 2018.
“While we were planning for peace we didn’t know our neighbours were planning for war.
“Some of our people have been living in IDP camps since then until they were dispatched to Ututu, Aro and Ihechiowa because no support was coming from any agency, and we are tired of raising support for them.
“We have also lost over 50 persons who died out of frustration because of the displacement including the wife of our traditional ruler, and the oldest man in the community who was buried recently.”
He, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to quickly intervene and bring permanent solution to the lingering border dispute by mandating the National Boundary Commission to clearly delineate the boundaries between the neighbouring communities.
He also appealed that a military or police base be sited in the area to ensure peace and implementation of the decisions of the Boundary Commission.
Kalu further, appealed to Government to help rehabilitate those displaced as a result of the incessant attacks.
Meanwhile, Gov. Alex Otti, has during a visit to the devastated community, said that his administration is committed to protecting the lives and properties of Abia citizens and residents.
Otti, who was represented by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, ordered the immediate transfer of scores of gunshot victims to a specialist hospital for proper medical attention with attendant bills to be fully paid by the state Government.
“I have communicated with the government of Cross River State to call her people to order and stop further infiltration.
“The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, is saddened over this obnoxious act and enjoins you to remain calm as the government is working hand in glove with the security agencies to ensure that checkpoints are mounted at all entry points into Isu, as well as constitute a patrol team. His condolences are with you,” he said.
The Governor who was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Police, Abia State, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, condoled the family of the deceased, saying that he came to ascertain the extent of damage and empathise with the entire community following the invasion of the community.
Otti assured Isu community of Abia State Government’s resolve to show presence in the long-forgotten area by the previous administrations, by fixing access roads to boundaries in Isu community up to the beach which serves a natural boundary feature, as well as other areas having inter-state boundary issues across the State.
He commended the traditional ruler of Isu Autonomous Community, HRH, Eze Augustine Igwe, President General of Obieze and leaders of Obieze and Isu communities for their maturity in handling the painful situation.
