A woman and her daughter have been shot dead in Ugep community, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The two victims were reportedly hit by stray bullets during a violent clash involving suspected members of a cult group, the Bagga Confraternity.
Eyewitnesses said the cultists fired sporadically, leaving residents terrified and grieving.
Reacting to the killings, a former aide to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, condemned the prevalence of cult groups in some local government councils in Cross River State, particularly Yakurr, where killings have become recurrent.
Obla, who is a local chief in Ugep community, described the killings as a sorrowful reminder of the infiltration of cult groups into governance.
He added that the Ugep attack was part of a broader pattern of cult groups infiltrating local government structures across Cross River State.
According to him, such “institutional compromise” undermines the rule of law, fuels violence, and erodes public confidence in governance.
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He urged the Ministry of Local Government Affairs and the state government to act swiftly by launching an independent investigation into the Yakurr killings.
He stressed that any official under credible suspicion should be suspended, pending the outcome of investigations.
While asking for a transparent, community-led vetting process for all committee appointments across the state, he called for collaboration with civil society groups, religious leaders, and security agencies to restore integrity and confidence in local governance.
He also disclosed that he has lodged complaints with the national security adviser, the inspector general of police, and the Directorate of State Services (DSS) concerning the incident.
Reacting, the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Yibala Inyang, said he has set up a panel to investigate the incident and that he is awaiting the outcome of the investigation by the panel.
He said until then, he cannot take any action against the suspects allegedly involved in the shootings, as he is working with security agencies to stem breaches in this council.
