By Abasi Ita
Outrage has erupted in Odonget community, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, after a military operation left more than 200 residents displaced, dozens of houses destroyed, and families struggling to account for missing loved ones.
The village head, His Highness Chief Richard Ahim Ayan, and other community members fled into neighbouring villages and bush settlements following the raid by soldiers from the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. Eyewitnesses reported that over fifty homes, including that of the village head, were burnt during the early morning operation.
According to community sources, the soldiers stormed Odonget around 1:00 a.m. after reports that locals had demanded a levy of one thousand naira from suspected illegal miners before allowing them to transport minerals through the village. Precious minerals, including a lucrative stone locally called Cusa, used for gunpowder, have been mined illegally in nearby Etung Local Government Area over the last three years.
Amos Agim, a youth leader who fled to Iyamoyom community, described the village as a ghost town. “More than 500 armed soldiers are still occupying our village. It is unsafe to return,” he said. Agim added that many residents have been separated from their families, with some reported missing or killed. “Since early Thursday morning, everyone ran in different directions. My house has been burnt, and I have no idea where my wife and children are,” he lamented.
Madam Charity Bissong, another displaced resident, said her aged husband and two grandchildren were killed after they could not escape. She described the incident as a devastating blow to the community, leaving many families shattered.
Agim recalled that the crisis began when miners refused to pay the community-imposed levy. “One kilo of the mineral sells for thirty-five thousand naira. They make a lot of money yet refused to pay. The miners then called in soldiers, who instead of resolving the issue, attacked our village. Corpses still litter our community,” he said.
The Army has denied claims of mass killings. Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 13 Brigade, stated in a March 12 press release that only four people were killed during the operation while the Army lost one soldier. He explained that reinforcements were requested from the 245 Battalion after troops were allegedly ambushed by armed youths.
Despite the Army’s account, displaced residents insist that the scale of destruction and casualties is higher than officially reported. A dawn-to-dusk curfew has been imposed, preventing safe return and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
As families remain scattered across neighbouring communities, calls for urgent intervention and support are intensifying, with residents demanding answers and measures to prevent further displacement.