The EGBENTA ALADA family in Ugboro in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State has cried out loudly for fear of being wiped out in what has become a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
A member of the family, FERDINAND EGBENTA AMU, who spoke to this paper complained that their ordeal was as a result of the family sharing a common boundary with Benue State where the Christian genocide has ravaged recently.
He stated that during one attack, his family properties were destroyed by the gun-wielding invaders who chanted Allahu Akbar (May Allah be praised). As they fired shots to force people to obey them.
According to Mr. Ferdinand Egbenta Amu, some members of the family had been taken captives over the years by Islamic extremists tagged Boko Haram.
Mr. Amu claimed that he has had to flee from his local government area to other areas but there was no respite from the rampaging terrorists.
During one of such escape bids, he was apprehended alongside many other citizens and taken through several kilometres of dense forest until they arrived at their detention camp.
He recalled: “On the second day of our kidnap, we were asked each to denounce our religious faith. Only a few obeyed them and they were released.
“Seeing that my life depended on that line, I decided to obey them and they also freed me.”
The embattled man said as soon as he regained freedom, he returned to his original Christian faith but that the Islamic terrorists got to know through their moles in the village.
Mr. Fredinand Egbenta Amu who spoke from his hideout said he was forced to flee again following persistent pressure on his family to reveal his whereabouts.
It would be recalled that Christian genocide is rampant in Northern Nigeria but is spreading to neighbouring states especially Cross River.
In the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, more than 200 Christian villagers were slaughtered by heavily armed Fulani jihadists in Yelwata, a farming community in Guma County, Benue State.
The mass murder was part of a disturbing wave of targeted violence that has swept across central Nigeria this year.