Residents of the bordering Obanliku and Obudu Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Cross River State’s Northern Senatorial District have long complained about the constant flow of Cameroonian refugees and the persistent colonization of their agricultural land by residents of neighboring Benue State.
Key stakeholders, including paramount monarchs, clan chiefs, village heads, youth organizations, and heads of security institutions in the district, expressed their worry during a town hall gathering.
Onun Ngim Okpo, director general of the Cross River State Border Commission (BORDERCOM), met with them during the ongoing Baseline Survey/Needs Assessment of border villages, which is being carried out by the state government.
Particularly highlighted by the stakeholders was the fact that the incursions into their farmlands had frequently the ability to spark communal disputes with their neighbors.
They advocated for the formation of coordinated border patrol teams to deal with the problem of illegal entry.
In keeping with Senator Prince Bassey Otu’s people-centered leadership style, the Director-General guaranteed prompt government assistance.
He stressed the need for calm and encouraged the locals to take part in the evaluation to help the administration provide better services.