Gov Otu Moves to End Biakpan–Etono Communal War in Cross River

Diafa Doubra,

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has vowed that his administration will no longer fold its arms while violent clashes between the Biakpan and Etono communities continue to claim lives and destroy property.

The governor gave this warning following renewed hostilities in the area, which have left several people displaced and farmlands destroyed. The Biakpan–Etono communal conflict, which has spanned decades, stems from land ownership disputes and boundary disagreements that have resisted previous government interventions.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, Governor Otu said his government is deeply concerned about the escalating violence. He warned that if both communities fail to embrace peace, the state might be forced to take over the disputed land and convert it to public use in order to stop further bloodshed.

“This administration will not allow the lives of innocent citizens to be wasted over disputes that can be resolved through dialogue. Enough is enough,” the governor declared. He stressed that his priority is safeguarding lives and ensuring that communities in Cross River coexist peacefully.

The governor also directed security agencies to intensify surveillance in the troubled axis, assuring residents that those behind the violence will be held accountable. He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups in the two areas to cooperate with the peace process, rather than fueling more clashes.

Residents of neighboring communities have welcomed the governor’s tough stance, noting that the conflict has crippled farming activities and disrupted trade in the region. Many expressed hope that the government’s intervention will finally bring lasting peace.

The Biakpan–Etono crisis is just one of several communal conflicts in Cross River and other parts of the South-South, raising concerns about how land disputes continue to trigger instability in rural areas. Governor Otu’s latest move, however, signals a readiness to break the cycle and restore calm.