Residents of Nde community in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State are currently living in fear after they became victims of several attacks from bandits.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that there had been five attacks on the community by unidentified gunmen in the past two months, leaving more than 30 victims hostage and about 10 people dead, including a child.

It turned out that the village was abandoned, as all inhabitants had left and sought refuge in another village called Old Nde, a few kilometers away.

Prince Etaba, an indigene, told Nigerian Tribune that the attacks were still a shock because they did not believe they would live in fear in their own community.

“We can’t sleep at night for fear of another strike. The whole village has moved to our ancestral home called Old Nde where we migrated from to hide for fear of being taken hostage or even killed,” he said.

Another indigene, Desmond Abobo, alleged that the attackers were herdsmen, adding that “they once tried to settle in our village, but we refused and kicked them out.

“When you see them, you know who they are and their intonation when they speak shows it. “We are calling on the state government to take the security of its citizens’ property as a priority,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state police commissioner, Grimah Gyogon, said the command had strategized with other security agencies to curb kidnappings and similar attacks in Ikom Local Government Area. (Nigerian Tribune)