The people of Okon Aku Community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, have raised the alarm over an imminent crisis between them and Ikun Community in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State, over boundary disagreement.

They, however, called on the Federal Government and the two states? governors to, as a matter of urgent attention, intervene in the boundary dispute to prevent inter-state aggression.

President-General of Okon Aku Community, Mr. Omaka Okorie, raised the alarm when he addressed journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Okorie, who said he had the mandate of their traditional ruler to address the media on the lingering matter, debunked allegations from their neighbouring community, that Okon Aku community encroached on their land with the intention to attack them.

He accused the people of Ikun community of blackmail, by going to the media and Cross River State House of Assembly to make unsubstantiated allegation against Okun Aku people of land encroachment.

In documents made available to journalists, the Cross River State Legislature had expressed worry over the alleged encroachment on Ikun land in Biase LGA by the people of Okon Aku community.

The House adopted resolutions calling on the State Government through its relevant agencies, including the State Boundary Commission, to liaise with the Federal Boundary Commission to realign the boundary between the two neighbouring border communities to prevent violence.

The House also wants the Cross River State Government to liaise with Abia State counterpart to intervene in the looming crisis, deploy armed security personnel to Ikun as well as establish military and police check points at the boundary between the two neighbouring communities.

These resolutions were adopted following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance brought before the House by the Member representing Biase State Constituency, Francis Ogban Onette.?

In a swift reaction, Mr. Okorie said: ?They (Ikun) are blackmailing us. The allegation is pure lie. We know it is inter-state boundary. It is not community by community matter. They are giving wrong information to their House of Assembly that Okun people are coming to attack them.

?We support the call made by Cross River State for the deployment of security operatives to the boundary. If they (Cross River) are bringing security operatives, it must be in conjunction with Abia State government. It is not one state affair.

?So, anything Cross River people are doing there, they have to contact their Abia State counterpart, so that no side would be intimidated by the security operatives. We want everything to be done as an agreement. Let the two states come to an agreement.

?If any side is putting security check-point, let the two states merge. What we (Okon Aku) are saying is we agree whatever government wants to do to ensure that there is no attack by Ikun Community. If it is boundary adjustment, let the two states come together and do it.

?Abia and Cross River States should come together and demarcate the place, show us (Okon Aku and Ikun communities) the boundary, so that we can continue to live in peace. This is inter-state boundary; it is not intra-community matter.? (Saturday Sun)

Update news