Community leaders in Ukwa Eburutu community in Odukpani LGA of Cross River State have called on the Federal Government to establish a military barrack in the area to put an end to communal clashes with the Isu people of Arochukwu LGA in Abia State.
They said the barrack will stop all claims and counter claims by both sides over the large deposits of limestone and other natural resources in the disputed area.
Speaking for Ukwa Eburutu, a youth leader, Samuel Inyang wondered why the people of Isu community are laying claim to ownership of limestone in Ukwa Eburutu land.
He insisted that it is Utuma community in Biase LGA of same Cross River State that they share boundary with but because the Isu people have had skirmishes with Utuma, they now extended the aggression to them in order to grab their God-given resources.
Inyang alleged that Isu people have been launching surprise attacks, killing their people over time.
He mentioned that before last weekend’s attack which resulted in loss of lives and properties, a husband and his wife, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were reported to have been beheaded in their farm in Okwa Eburutu by the Isu.
“There have been other sudden attacks against our people. We have not been able to revenge because the Isu people would usually come with armed men in military uniforms.
“We don’t share boundary with them except the people of Biase LGA in our Cross River whom they have had face-off with. Just because we have limestone in commercial quantities they want to use force to take the over the land. This, we will not agree.
“We will not mind if the federal Government took over the land and establish cement related company or army barrack.”
In the meantime, he called on the government to station military presence on their own side just as the military are on the other side of Abia State.