From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The people of Okon Aku Community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State have raised the alarm over an imminent boundary crisis between them and Ikun Community in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State.
They have, however, called on the Federal Government and the governors of both states to, as a matter of urgent attention, intervene in the boundary dispute to prevent an inter-state crisis.
President-General of Okon Aku Community, Mr. Omaka Okorie, raised the alarm when he addressed journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday.
Okorie, who said he had the mandate of their traditional ruler to address the media on the matter, debunked allegations from their neighbouring community that Okon Aku Community had encroached on the land with the intention to attack them.
He accused the people of Ikun community of blackmail, for going to the media and the Cross River State House of Assembly to make unsubstantiated allegations against the Okon Aku people regarding land encroachment.
In documents made available to journalists, the Cross River State Legislature had expressed concern over the alleged encroachment on Ikun land in Biase LGA by the people of Okon Aku.
The House adopted resolutions calling on the state government, through its relevant agencies, including the State Boundary Commission, to liaise with the Federal Boundary Commission to realign the boundary between the two neighbouring border communities to prevent violence.
The House also wants the Cross River State Government to liaise with its Abia State counterpart to intervene in the looming crisis, deploy armed security personnel to Ikun, and establish military and police checkpoints at the boundary between the two neighbouring communities.
These resolutions were adopted following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance brought before the House by the Member representing Biase State Constituency, Francis Ogban Onette.
In a swift reaction, Mr. Okorie said: “They (Ikun) are blackmailing us. The allegation is a pure lie. We know it is an inter-state boundary issue. It is not a community-by-community matter. They are giving wrong information to their House of Assembly that Okon people are coming to attack them.”
“We support the call made by Cross River State for the deployment of security operatives to the boundary. If they (Cross River) are bringing security operatives, it must be in conjunction with the Abia State government. It is not a one-state affair.”
“So, anything Cross River people are doing there, they have to contact their Abia State counterpart, so that no side will be intimidated by the security operatives. We want everything to be done as an agreement. Let the two states come to an agreement.”
“If any side is putting up a security checkpoint, let the two states merge. What we (Okon Aku) are saying is that we agree with whatever government wants to do to ensure that there is no attack by Ikun Community. If it is a boundary adjustment, let the two states come together and do it.”
“Abia State and Cross River State should come together and demarcate the place, show us (Okon Aku and Ikun communities) the boundary, so that we can continue to live in peace. This is an inter-state boundary issue; it is not an intra-community matter.”