Land dispute: 80 years after, warring communities sign peace accord

From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar                                 

 

The age-long land dispute between Ababene in Adun and Iyamitit in Okum, Obubra local government areas of Cross River  State have been  brought  to an end, with  the recent  peace accord  signed  by  the two communities.

The peace accord is coming almost 80 years  after Ababene and Iyamitet  engaged themselves  in a fratricidal war,  over  the  ownership of land located  between the two neighbouring communities. The dispute had been on  since 1931.

But the latest hostilities, which started a year ago, culminated in clashes  which   almost led to total annihilation of  the Ababene clan.

Disturbed by this killings and wanton destruction of crops, houses and public institutions on both sides for over a year, the leaders of Abaeben and Iyamitet, on Friday, July 14, met at Obubra town with a view  to  ending  the incessant communal war. They started   with a peace rally and later initialled a  the Memorandum of  Understanding (MoU) for everlasting peace.

The  peace meeting, attended by the paramount ruler of Obubra, the clan heads of both communities, men, women and youths, among  other stakeholders, was facilitated by Mr. Chris Agara Agan, an indigene of  the Obubra.

To cement the peace process,  two goats, representing Adun and Ababene were slaughtered. Thereafter, the heads of the  warring communities  took a  head of  goat  and buried  in their  respective communities. After that , some traditional rites were performed by the chiefs before  the  peace agreement was signed.

Speaking shortly after  the  ceremonies, the facilitator of the peace process, Mr. Chris Agara Agam, said: “I am very excited, seeing all the chiefs, women, youths, children and everybody. The response is unprecedented and I think the reason  is because everybody loves peace.

“Some people are forced to do what they are doing, not because they like it, but because of the circumstances. All that has now ended. Two brothers cannot be fighting and shedding blood. If there is any problem, they should resolve it amicably. We have shown that we are one blood, an indication of  harmony, understanding and affinity of both communities. The youths should use their energies to develop the places, rather than using it to destroy.”

Agara, who represented Governor Ben Ayade  at the event, promised that the governor would  commission the surveyor general to demarcate the boundary of  the affected communities, as well as build a police post in Adun and Ababene.

The chairman of  the seven-man Peace and Reconciliation Committee and an indigene of Obubra, Mr. Ernest Irek, said it was high time they came together and resolved the problem, hence,  the setting up  of the committee. He said the team has successfully completed the assignment.

 Insisting that the Obubra people were not hostile, he admitted that they have suffered for quite a while, adding, “this is an opportunity for us to move forward and be united as two neighboring  communities.”

Irek recalled how the crisis started and how efforts  to resolve it  were  rebuffed by the  warring youths.

He condemned the killings and destruction of property, even when security agents were sent  to  quell  the crisis.  

“One of our sons, Agara, after talking with our amiable governor, Professor  Ben Ayade, has come over to  broker peace. A committee was set up and for two months, we have visited both communities, and all factions said they want peace. We’ve talked to the village  heads, chiefs, women and youths.

 “We will do what our forefathers used to do. We will slaughter two goats, one representing Adun and the other representing Ababene. Thereafter, the head of each warring community will bury the head of each goat in his community to cement this peace process.

“The last time there was problem between Adun and Ababane was in 1937, and this time around, we want to bequeath a peaceful community to our children. Obubra are not war mongers as people think. This problem only arose as a result of provocation, and this has been addressed.

 “We hope  this will be a template for resolving crisis in other parts of the state. We will talk to our brothers in other parts of the state where there is crisis, to embrace peace because, we are very sincere about the peace process.

“We want to bequeath to generations yet unborn, a very smooth and peaceful environment. The paramount rulers have prayed and all the chiefs are here. We have signed a communiqué, which reflects all our views. Obubra is not warlike as people think. We are very peaceful people.”

The former House of Assembly member enjoined National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the  State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), as well as other  agencies of government responsible for rehabilitating displaced persons  to  intervene.

A members representing Obubra/Etung in the  House of Representatives, and a member of the peace committee, Mr. Mike Etaba said: “I thank God for the privilege of participating with my people in this peace process, and also thank Governor Ben Ayade for commissioning  appointing  Chris Agara to facilitate and commit himself whole-heartedly, to this peace agreement that has been signed here today.

“For me, coming from this community, I don’t see any reason they should be fighting;  and today, we have come to resolve the matter and  put it to rest once and for all. As brothers and sisters, we will go back, doing our businesses without any fear or anybody attacking anybody again,” he said.

 Etaba explained  that  the disputed land would be properly demarcated and a police post built  in the area.

 Commending the team, the Kudidem (Clan Head) of Adun,  Ovarr Patrick Erong Edom, said: “Today, our politicians have decided to come and make peace between Adun and Okum, and we are very happy over this peace because, we have lost  many people and  there had been many destructions. I am the happiest person today. This will  make us to build our future, rather than fighting.

“I advise the youths that fighting  is of no benefit. Rather,  let us return to peace. From today, they have seen what I have done, we have buried the blood. Anybody who disobeys will face the penalty,” he said.

On his part, Ohorodo I of Okum and Clan Head of Apiapum,  His Royal Highness, Ovarr Robert Mbina Mbina Ajom III, Ohorodo I, said: “The Adun and the Okum are brothers. We share the same boundary. Now, we have this peace agreement, the problem has stopped from today. It is not good for brothers to kill themselves in the name of land. No nation survives or develops  through war.”

 “I pray that  we  all  embrace this peace. I thank the governor for initiating this peace move, too. My message is that the youths should  be peaceful. It is the youths that will build the nation tomorrow. We were once youths. If we had killed ourselves then, we would not be here today.”

 Expressing gratitude for  the return of peace in the communities, the paramount ruler of Obubra,  His Royal Majesty, Ovarr Clement Ewona,   said: “I am very happy. It  is  not  good  to have people that are making trouble all the time,” he said.

One of  the women leaders, Felicia Okorm, said  she  was  happy to be alive to witness the restoration of peace to these communities, adding that since  April, last year that she left her Ababene village, she had not visited till today(the day the peace agreement was signed).  

Mrs. Okrom said: “We commend all stakeholders, who saw to the signing of this peace accord. You can see  that peace has returned and life is back to our communities. We shall ensure it is maintained for ever.”

At the end of the  day, Agam donated N4 million to both communities. The clan heads of both communities got N2 million each, on behalf of their people.

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