Fulani herdsman armed with a Kalashnikov
By Dianabasi Effiong
No fewer than 10 persons have been allegedly killed in Obio Usiere, Eniong Abatim in Odukapni Local Government Area of Cross River State by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
The Village Head the Obio Usiere, Apostle Iya Effiong Orok, gave the figure to journalists on Saturday.
He also said that although it was earlier reported that two members of the community were killed in an attack last week by the herdsmen, the community discovered that eight more persons were killed.
According to him, the two persons earlier reported to have been killed are those whose bodies were recovered immediately after the first attack.
“We have lost nothing less than 10 people in this attack by Fulani herdsmen. They normally come during the dry season to feed their cattle in our area the same incident occurred two years ago when two people were shot dead, now its 10 people.
“As I speak with you, Obio Usiere has been deserted, our women are afraid to go their farms because they rape them in the bush and no one can help them, these people are heavily armed and we are just helpless.
“We have reported to both Police, DSS and other security agencies and we are using this opportunity to call on Governor Ben Ayade to help us because about 3, 500 people are now homeless, we have become refugees in our own land.
“It is about a week this incident took place, it is true that some police men were sent here but the shortfall in logistics is a big challenge, we are afraid to go back to our ancestral home because we know what is happening in Enugu, Delta, Benue and we don’t like shedding blood on our land. It is a taboo for an Efik man to take up arms.”
But the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the attack, maintained that only one person was killed.
She said police personnel have been drafted to the area, adding that normalcy has been restored in the community.
“Our men are on ground 24 hours and we are not aware of any other killing, the rise in the death toll has not been reported to us as I speak with you, and we are not leaving the place,” she said.
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