A communal conflict which has persevered for over 30 years between the Ofunokpan individuals of Mbembe tribe in Obubra LGA and Nta group in Ikom LGA, each in Central Cross River State, has resurrected with the killing of three individuals over the weekend.
The three individuals had been reportedly killed in Nnaorokpa group in Nta, Ikom.
Two of these killed had been recognized as Rejoice Nton Anoka, 10, and a pupil, Mariam Akanya Mfono, 20. The third was recognized as a Tiv, who was visiting.
Sources mentioned the attackers arrived at 5:00 am with out prior discover and pounced on the Nta Nnaorokpa individuals.
In line with sources, the 2 communities are neighbors.
A manz who gave his identify as Benjamin Ale, mentioned: “The Mbembes had lived amongst the Ntas in Nta land however in 1993 they had been reportedly provoked by the Mbembes who drove them out of their land.
“The Ntas regained their land after they fought again and ejected the Mbembes out of their land to Obubra.
“The Mbembe battle on the Ntas have achieve destroying three Nta communities, Mkpaya, Ntating and Ofon.
“On 24 December 2022 the Mbembes invaded Ofon Nta, killed and injured many and destroyed properties together with authorities hospital at Ofon.”
In line with sources, the state authorities had reportedly resolved that the Mbembes ought to stay with their kits and kins at Obubra LGA whereas the Ntas ought to keep of their ancestral homeland
Spokesperson of the Cross River State Command Irene Ugbo mentioned the incident is being investigated.
