C’River, Ebonyi agree to sensitise citizens against land encroachments, killings

The governments of Cross River and neighbouring Ebonyi states have agreed to regularly embark on sensitization of their borderline communities to desist from all forms of encroachment, which often aggravated to bloodbaths and deaths.

This agreement was contained in a 5-point communique adopted by officials from both states and signed by the Deputy Governors of Cross River State and Ebonyi State yesterday in the Ebonyi deputy governor’s office in Abakaliki.

The two deputy governors said the sensitization was the initial action, while waiting for the delineation of the boundaries by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

According to the communique, the deputy governors who are also chairmen of State Boundary Committees in their states, are to reach out to the NBC to expedite action on boundary delineation to restore peace and ensure that no further lives are lost and properties destroyed in these communities.

They have also agreed to emplace modalities for joint security teams to patrol the affected areas.

There have been protracted boundary disputes between Cross River and Ebonyi States over the years along the border corridors of Ndiagu Amagu, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi and Adadama, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.