Governor Otu Declares Curfew in Four Cross River Communities

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on settlements of Ugaga, Igbekurekor, Benekaba and Ijama in the state’s Yala Local Government Area.

Following conflicts between the four groups, the curfew is in place to prevent further loss of life and property and to give security services time to intervene.

This information can be found in a statement made on Tuesday in Calabar by Otu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche.

­­­­­­­ “The curfew is necessary following land and boundary disputes which have resulted in security threats leading to wanton destruction of lives and properties.

“I hereby impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ugaga and Igbekurekor communities of Yala local government area, as well as in Benekaba and Ujama, respectively.

  “The curfew is to enable security agencies to deal decisively with the situation in the affected communities and restore normalcy,’’ the governor said

Otu gave the State Emergency Management Agency instructions to plan an emergency intervention in terms of supplies for the crisis’ victims.

He pleaded with the afflicted communities’ traditional leaders to find quick solutions to reestablish harmony and peace.

The governor warned that if peace and order in their areas continued to deteriorate, he would hold them accountable.

He made an appeal to those in the impacted areas sheath their swords and give peace a chance.

Otu warned them to, in their own interest, adhere strictly to the curfew.

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