A violent clash linked to a land dispute in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State has claimed one life and left several others with gunshot injuries.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Friday, July 4, has prompted the Cross River State Police Command to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Digital Economy, Philip Obin, disclosed that the deceased, Nkeruwem Ikoh, popularly known as Obong Ikor Obong, was allegedly shot dead while working on his farmland in Urugbam Community.
Obin alleged that the attackers were armed men suspected to have come from Egbor Community in Erei South, also located within Biase Local Government Area.
“Let it be on record that today, July 4, 2026, armed persons from a community in Erei South, Biase LGA, together with their collaborators, invaded the farmland of my community, Urugbam,” he said.
He further accused the authorities of failing to adequately protect the community despite the lingering land dispute.
According to him, the attack resulted in the death of one resident while several others sustained gunshot wounds.
“During the unprovoked attack, Mr Obong Ikor Obong was shot and killed, while several other persons sustained gunshot injuries,” Obin stated.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said officers had commenced investigations to identify those behind the attack.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday when two farmers from Orugbam Community were reportedly attacked while working on their farmlands near Egbor Community.
“The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, July 4, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., when two farmers, Mr Nkeruwem Ikoh and Mr Ukam Ajah Okpan, both of Orugbam Community, Erei, were allegedly attacked and shot by unidentified gunmen while working on their farmlands near Egbor Community,” Eitokpah said.
He explained that both victims were immediately rushed back to the village for emergency assistance.
However, Ikoh later died from the injuries he sustained during the attack, while the second victim remains hospitalised and is receiving medical treatment.
“The victims were rushed to the village for immediate assistance. Regrettably, Mr Nkeruwem Ikoh later succumbed to his injuries, while the second victim is currently receiving treatment. The deceased’s body has been deposited at Uwana Mortuary, Afikpo, Ebonyi State,” he added.
The police assured residents that every effort would be made to uncover those responsible for the attack and ensure they face justice.
Eitokpah urged members of the affected communities, including Orugbam and Egbor, as well as neighbouring settlements, to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He also appealed to residents to support the investigation by providing useful information that could assist security agencies.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses. The communities should remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands and cooperate with the police by providing credible information that may assist the ongoing investigation,” he stated.
