Residents of Biakpan community in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State have protested the continued occupation of their community by security operatives, alleging police harassment, destruction of farm produce, intimidation and the use of excessive force.
The protesters, mostly women and youths, said policemen deployed to the commu have prevented them from going to their farms and schools since Monday.
“This is not the mandate they were sent to enforce,” lamented Mrs. Egwu Izim, a protester.
“We are not the aggressors. Why have they stopped our children from going to school, scattered our market, and beaten up our women?”
The deployment of police officers to the community reportedly followed the burning of a ₦4.5 billion, 4,000-capacity auditorium known as The Legacy Hall, built by the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in Biakpan.
The hall, constructed in 2018 for the religious organisation’s annual pilgrimage, was allegedly set ablaze by youths from the neighbouring Etono 2 community, who claim ownership of the land where the structure is situated.
The arson reignited the long-standing land dispute between Biakpan and Etono communities, which has spanned several decades and resulted in the loss of lives and property.
Following the recent incident, Etono community reportedly petitioned the authorities, alleging that Biakpan residents were stockpiling weapons at the burnt auditorium leading to its destruction
However, Biakpan residents say the operation has turned punitive, accusing the police of bias for not extending the same operation to Etono, whom they alleged sparked the latest crisis.
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In response, an Etono chief, Mr. Ajah Ekpezu, denied that his people were the aggressors, claiming that Biakpan had long used its larger population and influence to dominate Etono.
Reacting to the controversy, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Mr. Rashid Afegbua, denied allegations of bias or harassment by the police.
He said the police presence in Biakpan was purely to maintain peace and prevent further violence.
Afegbua, was speaking during a visit by the legal adviser of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, in Calabar.
He, however condemned the burning of the facility of the religious organisation and assured that investigations were ongoing to identify and fish out the culprits.
