CROSSJOF urges Gov. Ayade to end violence in Boki communities

The Cross River State Journalists Forum, Abuja, (CROSSJOF), has called on Governor Ben Ayade to bring to an end the violence in some communities of Boki Local Government Area which has left at least seven persons dead and several property destroyed.

CROSSJOF, in a statement jointly signed by its Secretary, Mr David Odama and Public Relations Officer, Mr Godfrey Akon, on Wednesday, condemned the violent attacks on Boki communities by rival cult gangs, urging Governor Ayade to quickly secure the deployment of security personnel to the affected areas to restore normalcy.

“We call on the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade, to wade into this crisis and secure the deployment of security agencies to immediately quell the violence before it spreads to other communities,” CROSSJOF said.

The Forum denounced the violence as barbaric and a show of shame which is alien to the culture of brotherliness, peace and unity the state is famous for.

While expressing worry over the proliferation of violent cult gangs in some parts of the state, the Forum called for concerted efforts by parents and well-meaning citizens of the state as well as security agencies to arrest the menace, stating that Cross River State cannot afford to relapse into the uncertain atmosphere of insecurity and killings that has ravaged some states of the federation.

“The Forum has watched with utter dismay, the crass inhumanity on display in some communities in Boki Local Government Area by rival cult gangs, and wishes to unequivocally condemn the wanton destruction of lives and property the violence has left in its trail.

“CROSSJOF further wishes to state that violence does no good to anybody and should be condemned by all well meaning sons and daughters of the state as a barbaric show of shame that is alien to the culture of brotherliness, peace, unity and general understanding the entire state is famous for.

“We therefore consider this bloodletting a desecration of our values as Crossriverians and wish to clearly state that it is unacceptable.

“We are gravely concerned that able-bodied young men and women who should be engaged in productive activities to drive the growth and development of their communities are bearing arms to cause mayhem, terrorise, kill and maim their own kindreds with such gruesomeness as depicted in the sordid pictures emanating from the affected communities,” the statement said.

CROSSJOF further reminded the warring youths that no meaningful development can take place under such an atmosphere of retrogression, hate and rancour, urging them to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the interest of their future and posterity.