The people of Etara Clan in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have cried out for urgent government intervention, warning that starvation looms as the lingering communal conflict between Ikom and Obubra continues to cripple their community.

In a letter addressed to Governor Bassey Edet Otu through the Executive Chairman of Etung LGA, the sons and daughters of Etara and Ekuri Eyeyeng lamented that the blockade of their only access road has left them isolated from food, medical supplies, and other necessities.

They alleged that unknown armed and naked men have been patrolling their homes and farmlands, preventing residents from carrying out their daily activities and leaving them in fear.

Community leaders, including Hon. Isaac Enwa, Hon. Patrick Ifere Nta, Ntufam Hart Eyo Urom, and others, warned that the situation has reached breaking point, with prices of basic commodities skyrocketing beyond the reach of most households.

A cube of seasoning, they said, now sells for ?250, compared to ?20 before the crisis began.

The letter further revealed that efforts to address the crisis internally have so far failed to yield results.

On August 4, Etara representatives convened a two-day meeting in Ikom to seek solutions to the blockade.

In the communiqu? issued after the meeting, they urged the state government to demarcate Etara?s boundaries with neighbouring communities, introduce constant security patrols along the access road, and construct an alternative route to prevent future isolation

Leaders also expressed concern that Etara has been excluded from the state?s official intervention efforts.

While an eight-man committee was recently set up to address the Ikom?Obubra conflict, they said the mandate does not cover Etara Clan, despite its direct suffering from the crisis.

They appealed to the governor to expand the committee?s scope to include their community and other affected areas in Etung LGA.

Situated within the Cross River South Forest Reserve, Etara is bordered by Nsofang in the north, Isabang and Odonget in the east, Old Ekuri in Akamkpa LGA to the west, and Okuni/Akam in Ikom LGA to the northeast.

The leaders warn that without swift and decisive action to restore access, provide humanitarian relief, and deploy security personnel, the situation could escalate into a full-scale humanitarian disaster. (The Guardian)

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