Bloody clash in Cross River over wood-logging

The skirmish, which had brewed over time, finally erupted full scale yesterday night when members of the two neighbouring communities took up arms against themselves.

A number of youths were reportedly killed Saturday evening following a bloody clash between Biajua and Abia communities in Boki and Etung local government areas of Cross River State.

The skirmish, which had brewed over time, finally erupted full scale yesterday night when members of the two neighbouring communities took up arms against themselves.

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The fight was still said to be on at time of filing this report, though the police have reportedly arrested six persons while at least four persons were reported killed in the clash.

Findings indicated that the clash was alleged to be as a result of the resistance of Biajua community against sustained wood logging in Biajua by timber dealers from Abia.

Our source said that some of the loggers were allegedly arrested and handed over to the police at Bateriko police station.

Armed youths from Abia community in Etung LGA, believed to have invaded the Biajua forests, were said to have shot sporadically in the area to scare the Biajua youths, to enable them evacuate their felled logs.

Confirming the incident, a community leader in nearby Danare community in Boki LGA and former Vice chairman of APC for Cross River Central, Chief Cletus Obun, said “We request for urgent intervention to avoid more casualties.”

State security adviser, Alfred Mboto, said they have reports about the incident and have deployed security personnel to the scene.  He however said he has not been well briefed about the killings.