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| Gov. Ayade |
Governor Ben Ayade has urged indigenes of the state currently taking refuge in Ebonyi and Abia states to return to their ancestral home.
This came barely 72 hours after over 2,000 Ebonyi indigenes were evicted from Ekajiok community in the Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State.
According to the governor, the state government has made necessary arrangements for the safe return of the indigenes of the state that are outside.
“Your home belongs to you and nobody has the ancestral, cultural and legal right to take it away from you,” he said.
There have been communal land disputes involving the people of Egbor and Urugabm in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River and their neighbours, in Ekoli Edda community, in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which have reportedly claimed many lives and led to destruction of over 70 houses.
Represented by the Paramount Ruler of Biase LGA, Nicholas Odum, Ayade said the state government was concerned about what the displaced indigenes of the state were going through, while assuring them that peace had returned to their homes.
Also speaking, Commander of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Calabar, Lt Yusufu Tella, assured the people of safety and protection whenever they returned.
He said, “Once you are ready to come back, just let me know. I will be waiting for you. Don’t be afraid to come back. Nobody will drive you away from your community anymore.
“Nobody can take your land away from you. We are sorry for what happened to you. For my sake, your enemies will run away from you. My men are ready and they will deal with anyone who intends to shatter your peace again.”
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