By Abasi Ita, Calabar
The perennial communal conflict between the neighboring communities of Biakpan and Etono 2 in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State has escalated, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
The latest violence occurred two days ago, when youths from Etono 2 allegedly launched an attack, killing a visitor in Biakpan and another unidentified youth.
A local source said gunshots rang out across Biakpan on both Monday and Tuesday. “Sporadic shootings were heard on Monday and Tuesday inside Biakpan. A few persons have been killed,” the source stated.
The crisis, which has lasted for decades, has reportedly claimed nearly 50 lives across both sides.
Confirming the incident, the State Security Adviser for the Southern Senatorial District, Patrick Odion, disclosed that security personnel had been deployed to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
Over three weeks ago, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Olusegun Omosanyin, had invited leaders of both communities to a peace meeting in Calabar amid rising tensions and intelligence reports of arms stockpiling.
The police commissioner expressed disappointment that representatives of the communities had ignored three previous summons. In response, he dispatched senior officers to assess the conflict zones and warned of a coordinated police operation to retrieve illegal weapons.
Following the resurgence of violence on Wednesday, CP Omosanyin held an emergency meeting with the leadership of Biase Local Government Area.
He assured them that additional police personnel would be mobilized to both Biakpan and Etono 2 to restore peace and order.