THE Adadama Clan of Cross Rivers State is accusing the neighboring Ebonyi state government of sponsoring invasions of its villages and the killing of its people by the Ikwo people of Ebonyi.
Speaking to journalists on the plight of his people, many of whom have been displaced due to the invasion and killings, Chief Vincent Ekpah said the unprovoked attacks by the Ebonyi people has left about 11 of his kinsmen dead.
Ekpah, who is the Clan Head of Ekpon Clan, said the fragile relationship between his people and their Ebonyi neighbours worsened on January 14, 2013 when armed militants from Amagu community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi waged a full scale war against his community.
According to him, the militants numbering over 50 in number were fully armed with sophisticated modern rifles, including AK47, Kashinikov, GPMGs and hand grenades.
“Once they crossed the boundary line into Adadama they immediately found and kidnapped over 7 farmers consisting of mainly women and children and took them to unknown destination in Amagu. Thereafter they proceeded to the police station newly constructed by the Cross Rivers government close to the boundary and razed it down.
“They then moved towards the first Adadama community of Ngoli shooting sporadically. There were however, confronted by the Adadama vigilante group made up of local hunters who showed bravery by exchanging gun fire with their local guns for over 3 hours. They were able to force the militants to beat a retreat from that point back to Amagu village. During the confrontation one Isang Enya, aged 38, was shot dead by the militants,” said Chief Ekpah.
Ten other persons, including a lady who was doing her PhD have since been confirmed to have been killed by the invaders from Ebonyi State.
Corroborating Chief Ekpah’s claim, Ansen B. Edo said information at the disposal of his people indicates that a certain member of the youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has been the one allegedly used by the Ebonyi State Government to coordinate the attacks on their communities.
Edo, who is the President, Adadama Development Association, said the man who coordinated the attacks on his community is also a leading member of the Ebonyi Youth Assembly.
He also fingered another leading member of the Ikwo Local Government Council of Ebonyi State of arming the militants with the weapons they used during the raid on their villages.
He said before the hostilities broke out, the Adadama Community was already holding peaceful discussions with the Okpitomo and Amagu communities of Ebonyi.