Unless urgent action is taken, the protracted communal crisis between Etono 2 and Biakpan communities in Cross River State could worsen, as residents now face severe hunger and starvation.

Sources from the two neighbouring communities told The Guardian that renewed clashes over ancestral lands and tribal supremacy have halted farming and trading activities for over two weeks. The violence, which has reportedly claimed more than 50 lives, has left the people unable to access food.

A prominent lawyer from Biakpan, Mba Ukweni (SAN), said his community holds a Supreme Court judgment affirming ownership of the disputed land.

Our correspondent gathered that local farmers, especially women, could not visit their farms or buy food in markets.

A resident of Biakpan, Olu Esu, described the dire situation: ?A small cup of garri that used to sell for N150 now costs N400?if you can even find it.

?A cup of rice now goes for N600 instead of N350. Businesses have stopped, money is scarce, and hunger has left people emaciated. We?re appealing to friends of Biakpan for help.?

He added that only ?fortified? men dare venture out, as going to the farm requires the protection of armed escorts.

A similar situation prevails in Etono 2, which has a smaller population. A family there reportedly lost a pregnant woman after days without food.

Some sources alleged that Etono had recruited mercenaries from another community to aid in the fighting, while an Etono youth, Francis Enun, accused Biakpan of brutality, saying they targeted their leaders and women.

Since hostilities resumed four days ago, sporadic gunfire was still being heard as of Thursday evening.

Paramount land chief of Biakpan, Dr Onun Bassey, declined to comment, saying he was indisposed.

Meanwhile, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Olusegun Omosanyin, met with the Biase LGA chairman, Mr Edodi Edodi, and other officials, pledging to deploy more personnel to restore peace.

The State Security Adviser for the Southern District, Patrick Odiong, confirmed that security operatives had moved into the affected communities.

Governor Bassey Otu, last week, reaffirmed his administration?s commitment to ending communal violence, announcing the release of operational vehicles to the Homeland Security Service and plans to recruit more personnel to ensure stability across the state.

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