By Odey Ojeka
The Chief Executive Officer of SagaciousNewsBlog, Mr Odey Ojeka, has called for urgent peace and dialogue following reports of renewed tension between the brother communities of Ugep and Idomi in Yakurr Local Government Area.
The call came after Ugep farmers, who had prepared to go to their farms early Wednesday morning, were reportedly asked to stay back due to allegations that farmlands belonging to Ugep indigenes were destroyed overnight by individuals suspected to be from neighbouring Idomi.
“Ugep and Idomi are brothers. We want peace and not war,” Ojeka said in a statement issued this morning. “I appeal to our respected traditional rulers in Ugep, the Cross River State Government, and all stakeholders to intervene immediately and settle these differences before they escalate.”
Historically, both communities share deep ancestral ties, with oral accounts tracing their migration from Akpa to their present settlements. They have coexisted for generations through intermarriage, trade, and shared cultural festivals.
Ojeka further urged youths in both communities to resist any form of violence and allow leaders to resolve the matter through dialogue. “Our strength is in our unity. Let history remember us for protecting our brotherhood, not destroying it,” he added.
Security agencies have been urged to maintain a proactive presence in the area while peace talks are initiated. Efforts to reach traditional leaders in Idomi for comments were ongoing at press time.
