Buhari expresses concern over deadly violence in Cross River communities, calls for restoration of peace

– Following the violence that erupted in four communities in Biase local government area of Cross River state, President Muhammadu Buhari has called for calm

– President Buhari calls for calm and restoration of peace in the affected communities

– According to the president, communities must be ready to live together in peace since no development can take place in an atmosphere of recurring violence

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over reports of violence in four communities in Biase local government area of Cross River state, which resulted in loss of lives, injuries and displacement of villagers.

TRACKNEWS.NG gathers that the disclosure was made on Tuesday, December 4, by the senior special assistant to the president, Garba Shehu, who said President Buhari called for calm and restoration of peace in the affected communities bordering Abia state.

According to the presidential aide, President Buhari urged the people of the areas to allow law and order to prevail.

Buhari said: “Our communities must be ready to live together in peace since no development can take place in an atmosphere of recurring violence.”

The state government was commended for the steps taken so far towards bringing peace to the areas. The president also lauded the state police command for speedily mobilising its personnel to the affected communities to contain the crisis.

All stakeholders were urged to cooperate and ensure that lasting peace returned to the affected areas.

TRACKNEWS.NG previously reported that no fewer than twenty people were reportedly killed while many others sustained serious injuries in a violence that broke out in four communities in Biase local government area of Cross River state.

Hundreds of women and children were also displaced by the violence which broke out on Monday, December 3, in Urugbam, Egbor, Ipene, and Abanwan, four of the 10 communities that make up Erei clan, which predominantly occupies the southwestern tip of Cross River near the border with Abia state.

An indigene traced the violence to the sale of a parcel of land, used to cultivate palm fruits since 1973.

The land reportedly belonged to Urugbam and Egbor communities, but was leased out by the Egbor community to African Stone Works Ltd, allegedly without the consent of the Urugbam and other communities that have been a part of the cultivation for over 45 years.