The fishing and farming communities of Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State have lamented their inability to go about their occupation due to the activities of militants leading to their injuries and deaths.
The Cross River State House of Assembly also raised the alarm over the resurgence of militancy in Bakassi and Akpabuyo LGAs.
The lawmakers confirmed that militants have taken over the Cross River waterways and killed one person.
A fisherman, Etekamba Effiom of Esuk Mba Creek in Akpabuyo
narrated how he and his colleagues were attacked early last week and their catches carted away.
“The attacks have become frequent. A number of our fellow fishermen have been robbed and manhandled. They have killed others that have resisted them.
“They operate with impunity in our communities, bearing heavy weapons,” he said.
Madam Atim Rebecca Asuquo, 58, also recalled how they seized her farm.
She narrated, “They threatened us. They dispossess us of our farm crops. Sometimes they would take possession of farms and operate from there.”
She appealed to the authorities, especially security forces to help them.
It is understood that the militants have even ordered that nobody in those communities should access the river.
Following a motion of an urgent Public Importance brought before the Cross River Asssmenby by the member representing Akpabuyo State Constituency, Hon Bassey Bassey Effiong, the lawmaers called for an urgent military Intervention.
In a press release by the Information Officer of the Assembly, Itam Offor on September 13, the lawmaker said, “It has been a routine invasion and attacks on the coastal communities of Akwa-Esuk Eyamba, Ikong Nkokanie, Esuk Mba communities of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South through the Qua River, for a long time.
“The militants have succeeded in stopping the fishermen in these communities from fishing in the river and the farmers from farming in the coastal land.
“There have been frequent cases of seizures of boats, outboard engines, and looting of goods from the traders in the community market of Esuk Mba”.
The lawmaker disclosed that villagers now lived in fear and could no longer go for their fishing or farming.
He expressed fear that the situation may result in some of the youths joining the criminals due to idleness.
He regretted that the militants relocated from the town to the creeks from where they terrorised the waterways.
Giving further details, Bassey said, “we are not surprised, just four months ago they came in and kidnaped our paramount ruler.”
He appealed to the state government to mount pressure on the Federal Government to fund military presence in the Cross River creeks.
“If we are able to have the kind of security presence we have on land on the waterways, then we can claim that we have total safety in Cross River state.
“Cross River needs gunboats to be positioned in the waterways, not just mere marine patrol where you just come and go back.
“Before leaving your base, the time it will take you to get to the sea, they would have done their work and escaped because they have their local informants,” he stated.
