A violent clash between the Akamkpa Quarry and its host community, Obung, in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, has turned bloody, leaving a 34-year-old man, Henry Ntui, dead and three others severely injured. The latest crisis, which also saw several properties destroyed, has triggered widespread anger and renewed calls for justice.
The incident unfolded when operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police reportedly stormed Obung community after a distress call. Eyewitnesses claim the officers opened fire on unarmed youths who had gathered at the village square, sparking chaos and panic.
Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa LGA, HRM Ophot Agbor Ewa Ebani, visited the community to calm tensions and condemned the police shooting. He described the loss of life as “unacceptable” and promised to work with government authorities to ensure justice is served. The monarch assured residents that the root causes of the crisis would be addressed to guarantee lasting peace, while also urging quarry companies to strengthen corporate social responsibility in order to foster industrial harmony and attract more investment to the area.
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Community leaders, however, insist the crisis was fueled by long-standing grievances over poor infrastructure and neglect by the quarry operators. A member of the Obung Traditional Rulers’ Council, Ntufam Iyamba Dennis Effiong, described the police action as an “unprovoked attack” on the youths. He blamed the unrest on the alleged high-handedness of the village head, Ntufam Ignatius Olam, who was accused of failing to push the quarry company to fulfill its obligations to the community.
“Our people live without good roads, electricity, scholarships, or streetlights despite the quarry shipping out thousands of truckloads of chippings from our ancestral land every year,” Effiong lamented. “The community has no idea how royalties are managed, and when the youths demanded accountability, they were met with bullets instead.”
The tragic death of Henry Ntui has now placed Akamkpa in the spotlight, with activists, community members, and traditional leaders demanding answers. Pressure is mounting on both the state government and the police authorities to launch a full investigation into the shooting and ensure that the clash does not escalate into a prolonged conflict.
