Police rescue 10 held amid Cross River-Benue communal tension

Police successfully rescued 10 people who were being held in the Ijegwu community of Cross River State, Nigeria. The rescue occurred Sunday amid heightened tensions between the Ijegwu community and the neighboring Konshisha Local Government Area in Benue State.

The detentions followed a violent clash between the border communities. This unrest was reportedly triggered by the killing of two individuals in Uware Council Ward, Benue State. An earlier incident, the alleged beating to death of a man attempting to steal a goat on June 26, was also linked to the escalating violence.

“

Benue is like a younger brother to Cross River. We share many social and economic ties. Those who travelled from Cross River to Benue and were caught up in the crisis were victims of circumstance.

The rescued individuals were handed over by DSP Collins Ekuogu, the Area Commander for Ogoja, to Mr. Moses Terfa, Chairman of Konshisha Local Government Area. Dr. Fred Okem, Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, and CSP Torinya Joe, Divisional Police Officer of Konshisha, were also present. The Area Commander appealed to the communities to maintain peace while investigations, including autopsies, are completed.

Dr. Okem described the violence as unfortunate, emphasizing the long-standing social and economic ties between Cross River and Benue states, referring to Benue as a "younger brother." He urged for peace and commended the police's swift intervention. Mr. Terfa called for reconciliation, highlighting the interconnected economies and the need to preserve the relationship between the neighboring communities.

“

The economies of both states are closely linked, with traders from Cross River doing business in Benue and many Benue residents working in Cross River, stressing the need to preserve the long-standing relationship between the neighbouring communities.