A long-standing feud between the Ofunokpan people of the Mbembe tribe in Obubra LGA and the Nta community in Ikom LGA, located in Central Cross River State, has reignited with tragic consequences. Over the weekend, three individuals lost their lives in a violent clash in the Nnaorokpa community in Nta, Ikom.
Among the victims were Rejoice Nton Anoka, a 10-year-old child, Mariam Akanya Mfono, a 20-year-old student, and a visiting Tiv individual. The attackers reportedly struck without warning at 5:00 am, targeting the unsuspecting residents of Nta Nnaorokpa.
The roots of this conflict date back over three decades, with tensions escalating in 1993 when the Mbembe community allegedly drove the Ntas out of their land. A retaliatory effort by the Ntas led to the expulsion of the Mbembes to Obubra. Since then, the Mbembe incursions have destroyed three Nta communities – Mkpaya, Ntating, and Ofon. The most recent attack on Ofon Nta on December 24, 2022, resulted in multiple casualties, injuries, and extensive property damage, including the destruction of a government hospital.
In response to the ongoing violence, the state government intervened by mandating that the Mbembes remain in Obubra LGA while the Ntas retain their ancestral homeland. Despite these efforts, the cycle of bloodshed and destruction persists.
The Cross River State Command is currently investigating the recent tragedy, as spokesperson Irene Ugbo confirmed. The quest for peace and reconciliation in this troubled region continues, as communities grapple with the legacy of past grievances and seek a path towards coexistence and harmony.