The police in Cross River State are looking into the killing of a farmer and the shooting of another during an attack on farmland in Erei Community, Biase Local Government Area.
The police said this in a statement on Sunday after seeing reports on social media about armed men attacking farmers from Orugbam Community.
Police spokesperson Eitokpah Akata, an assistant superintendent of police, said the incident happened on Saturday around 3:00 p.m.
According to the police, two farmers, Nkeruwem Ikoh and Ukam Okpan, both from Orugbam Community in Erei, were attacked by unknown gunmen while working on their farms near Egbor Community.
The victims were rushed back to their village for treatment. Sadly, Mr Ikoh later died from his injuries, while Mr Okpan is still receiving care.
The police mentioned that the body has been taken to Uwana Mortuary in nearby Ebonyi State.
“The Cross River State Police Command assures the public that a thorough investigation is underway to find out what happened, identify those responsible, and make sure they face justice,” Mr Akata said.
The command urged people in Orugbam, Egbor, and nearby communities to stay calm and avoid actions that could increase tensions.
“The Command also asks residents of Orugbam, Egbor, and surrounding areas to work with the police by providing any credible information that may help the ongoing investigation.”
The police promised to share more information as the investigation continues.
This police statement came after a Facebook post by Philip Obin. He claimed that armed men from Egbor Community, along with accomplices, invaded farmland belonging to Orugbam Community.
In his post, Mr Obin said that one person was killed and many others were shot during what he called an unprovoked attack. He also said that government authorities had done “little or no visible action” following the incident.
The police have not yet identified the attackers or confirmed any allegations against a community. They stated that unknown gunmen were responsible and that investigations are ongoing.
This recent attack has raised worries about ongoing communal tensions and violent incidents affecting farming communities in Cross River, where land and boundary disputes can sometimes lead to deadly outcomes.
The police have called on anyone with useful information about the attack to help investigators catch and prosecute those responsible.
This incident adds to a series of violent events in Cross River in recent months. In March, women in Nwang-Ekpugrinya Community in Ogoja Local Government Area protested the killing of 26-year-old Lucy Morshie, who police said was allegedly murdered by her lover at a farm.
The protest became tense as some demonstrators demanded the police hand the suspect over to them, but police intervened and took him into protective custody while the investigation was ongoing.
PREMIUM TIMES recently reported how a mob attacked a 50-year-old woman during a church crusade in Onyadama Community in Obubra Local Government Area after she was accused of witchcraft.
Weeks later, no suspect has been arrested for that incident, raising concerns among residents and rights advocates about accountability for violent crimes in the state.
The killing of a farmer in Biase has brought back worries about violence in rural areas of Cross River.
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