Boki: Council chairman wants boundary demarcation to stop recurring bloodshed

The Chairperson of Boki Local Government Area in Cross River State, Eti-Eka Beatrice Nyiam, has urged for accurate boundary delineation between Boje and Isobendighe communities to cease recurring communal disputes and bloodshed. Nyiam brought up the issue during a broadcast on HIT FM radio from Calabar, following the uptick in violence between the two communities in the local government area.

She appealed for the State Surveyor-General to conduct a thorough demarcation of boundaries, asserting that such action would deter further encroachment and trespass. The council leader warned that any intrusions after demarcation would be considered theft and dealt with severely. Nyiam also requested a gathering of traditional leaders and other chieftains from the impacted communities, with the Governor's Special Adviser on Security anticipated to participate.

She explained that Governor Bassey Otu had backed a dialogue with traditional leaders to tackle security concerns and foster enduring peace. According to Nyiam, the clashes are mainly sparked by land disputes, particularly during the planting season. She noted that the security scenario in Boki, the biggest local government in the state, is bettering as security forces are being more reactive, but stressed the need for police stations in the affected regions.

"I trust that with clear demarcations and the introduction of police outposts, communal harmony will be achieved," she stated. The recent unrest led to the deployment of soldiers from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army to the two communities following two deaths and property destruction in the past fortnight. Nyiam also expressed worry over ongoing extensive logging in Boki, criticizing heavy log trucks for damaging roads.

She lamented the lack of investors eager to set up wood-processing factories in the area, arguing that such ventures would generate jobs and add value to the plentiful timber resources.