The Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Olusegun Omosanyin, has warned of a disarmament operation in Biakpan and Etono communities in Biase Local Government Area following renewed violence over a longstanding land dispute.
Omosanyin made the disclosure on Thursday in Calabar during an interview regarding the persistent hostilities between the two communities.
The conflict, rooted in decades-old grievances, has reignited in the past three months, prompting security concerns.
The police chief lamented that both communities had repeatedly ignored invitations from the command, with no fewer than three attempts made to engage them in dialogue.
“The people of Biakpan claimed to have Supreme Court judgement that allows them to acquire Etono, but that is not the point — the issue is the recurring security breaches,” he said.
“At times, there are kidnappings, injuries, even killings. I have warned that their actions are pushing government to the brink.”
Omosanyin explained that the State Security Adviser had visited the communities over four times to advocate peace, yet tensions persist.
He revealed that a full disarmament operation is being planned to retrieve weapons allegedly used in the conflict.
“We have invited all youth leaders and their assistants — none of them honoured our calls and even vowed not to respond to police invitations,” he stated.
He said elders in the communities had been urged to intervene and persuade the youth to disarm and embrace peace or face a coordinated security sweep.
According to the CP, the operation will involve all state security agencies, including the military.
“We will ensure both communities are cordoned off during the operation to recover arms used in these violent acts,” he added.
(NAN)