The National Boundary Commission, NBC, has called for peaceful coexistence among border communities in Abia and Cross River States amidst escalating tensions.
The Director-General, of the NBC, Mr. Adamu Adaji, made this appeal following violent clashes between the Isu community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State and the Ukwa Mbiabong Ukwa Eburutu community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, which claimed lives in early January 2025.
This is contained in a statement signed by Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit of the commission, Mrs. Efe Ovuakporie, in Abuja.
The statement condemns the killings and urges all stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine ongoing boundary resolution efforts.
According to the statement, proactive measures were taken including the Joint Meeting of Officials on the Abia-Cross River boundary held on December 11, 2024, at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar with some outlined steps towards resolving the disputes in the affected areas.
“The steps included the agreement to share the disputed triangular land between Okon-Aku and Ikun communities, subject to approval by the Deputy Governors and the submission of documents supporting claims over disputed points of Mbiabong-Ito and Isu areas by January 20, 2025 as well as the formation of a Joint Committee for the rehabilitation and return of displaced communities in the Mbiabong-Ito/Isu sector”
It reiterate its role as a neutral mediator committed to fairness, emphasizing the importance of dialogue over violence.
The statement urges traditional rulers, community leaders, and security agencies to collaborate in fostering peace and ensuring productive discussions ahead of the January 20th meeting.
