By Musa Yaro, Calabar
ASHENEWS reports that the Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently deploy relevant security agencies to restore peace in Ochongor-Ijiegu in the Yache clan of the Yala local government area of the state.
This online platform reports that a crisis had erupted in the area with the Tiv people in Benue state, leaving one dead and several others injured.
The lawmakers also want the government to ensure that the perpetrators of the crisis are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
These resolutions were taken following a matter of urgent public importance brought before the House by the Member representing the Yala 1 state constituency, Hon Odey Brian Wonah.
According to Wonah, some Tiv people from Benue state who had always rented land from Ochongor-Ijiegu for farming on the payment of royalty for the land sought, could not obtain permission nor pay any royalty this year, instead invaded the area without the usual mutual understanding.
He added that when the landlords sent a delegation to enquire why the Tiv people did not obtain the required permission as usual, they were allegedly attacked by the Tivs resulting in a death with several others injured.
Wonah further lamented that the development threw the Yala people into palpable fear as they now abandon their farms.
Accordingly, Wonah noted that the Yala people are predominantly farmers and their inability to engage in the occupation could lead to hunger and starvation in the coming years.
In their various contributions, the lawmakers condemned the crisis and stressed the need for immediate solutions to prevent further loss of lives.
Members also argued that Yala remains one of the local government areas in the state that produce food, adding that, if proper measures are not put in place, such actions could lead to food shortage.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, also condemned the crisis, urging the Cross River State government to urgently intervene, to avert more casualties.
