Neighbours at War

Since 2005, the people of Ukele in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State and those of Izzi in Ebonyi State have been locked in internecine communal conflicts over land. People on both sides of the divide have been attacked at homes, farms and highways by militia groups set up by both communities. In June 2018, the intercommunal clashes resulted in the burning of over 1,500 homes; displacement of over 7,000 persons; and killing of 20 persons. Scores have been forced to abandon their farms, and many more missing, triggering looming food insecurity in the area. Besides the negative impact on agriculture, the conflicts also unleash sufferings on travellers. For example, each time the conflict rages, human and vehicular movement is halted on the popular Tran-Sahara Highway which connects Nigeria to Cameroon and neighbouring countries as travellers do not want to be caught in the crossfire.

Following these developments, this edition of Nextier SPD Weekly examines the festering land dispute between Cross River and Ebonyi states with a view to finding an amicable solution to the impasse.

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