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As communal conflict continues unabated in Cross River State Communities which is mostly on boundary dispute, a fresh attack resurfaced between Ofonagama, a neighboring Community in Obubra, and Nnaorokpa Community in Nta-Nselle in Ikom Local Government Areas, respectively has reportedly left three persons dead and four others injured.

CrossRiverWatch learned that two young girls and a boy were reportedly killed during the sporadic shootings while four other victims have been hospitalized due to bullet wounds.

The attack happened on Thursday 8 March 2024.

Villagers say the armed men came through Ofonagama, a neighboring village, from the neighboring Obubra Local Government Area. Eyewitness accounts also state that the armed men entered Nnaorokpa at about 5: AM on Thursday, while residents were still asleep.

Speaking to CrossRiverWatch in an exclusive interview, the Youth President of Nta-Nselle, Mr. Mfam Kingsley, said the community has suffered repeated attacks from the same neighbors for 31 years (between 1993 to 2024) without any lasting solution.

He recalled that the attack began as a result of a communal land dispute between his community and their neighbors from the Obubra axis.

In his explanations, “They Crossed from Obubra and came over into Nnaorokpa at about 5:am, shooting sporadically. They killed 3 persons and injured 4 persons. As I speak with you, they are still spearheading to come to Nnaorokpa for another attack, against the people of Nta.

“Please the government and compassionate Cross Riverians should come to our aid. We have been under attack since 1993. Last year, they attacked us and killed a Pastor, one of the daughters, and a son. We reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters here in Ikom. We are aware that they passed through Ofonagama in Obubra, to attack Nnaorokpa, one of the Nta-Nselle communities.”

Efforts to reach the youth leader of Ofonagama proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

Also, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Irene Ugbo was unable to be reached despite some attempts to reach her via phone calls and Short Message Service (SMS) at the time of this report.