A renewed communal clash between two neighbouring communities of Etono 2 and Biakpan in Biase LGA of Cross River State has led to the death of two persons.
The resumption of hostilities happened a day ago when youths from Etono 2 were alleged to have attacked and killed a visitor to Biakpan and another youth whose identity was not immediately known.
In the latest resurgence, a source said, sporadic shootings were heard on Monday and Tuesday inside Biakpan and a few persons have been killed.
State security adviser Southern district, Patrick Odion told reporters on the phone that he has his men on ground to calm the situation.
Over three weeks ago, Commissioner of Police in the state, Olusegun Omosanyin, summoned the two sides to his Headquarters in Calabar and cautioned them.
The police commissioner had disclosed how there was a massive arms buildup by the two communities and said he would launch police action to retrieve the arms from them.
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He had expressed anger that the two sides had earlier refused to appear before him three times when he summoned them, adding that he had also dispatched his key officers to the two communities.
Following the resumption of the killings Wednesday, the police commissioner again met with the leadership of Biase LGA in his office.
He assured that he would mobilize his men to Biakpan and Etono 2 to quell the uprising.
Concerned stakeholders from the two communities in a chat with our reporter, lamented that often, when police and soldiers sent to douse tensions would leave, hostilities would resume soon after.
They said that “The presence of the security men usually gives us confidence but once they leave, our safety is no longer guaranteed.”
“We do not have access to roads anywhere else, other than the one into Biakpan, which is why our adversaries usually encircle and easily attack and kill us” they also said.
