by Blatant anger swept through the Osokom community in Boki Local Government Area in central Cross River State on Wednesday evening as four youths hacked to death during cults clash on Monday were buried.
Some inhabitants wore mournful looks while some women cry uncontrollably as the four bodies were removed from the mortuary and buried by the various families. Some of the villagers stated that cult clashes have become a regular occurrence in the community and the lives of many youths are being cut short through violence. Dan Osokom, the chief of the community, said many meetings have been convened by leaders of the community to educate the young men on the dangers of cultism yet many of them still find a member of cult groups attractive.
“We have done everything
a community should do to enthrone peace and brotherly love among
the youths but once in a while some of them resort to violence over
truffle issues like girlfriend squabbles which is uncalled for”
He said the community has appealed to the
government to take drastic measures against those found to be carrying out
violence in the area. “Since the police always release those arrested on bail,
we have called on the authorities to ensure that there is a change of approach
when next they are apprehended”. Ann Ogar, a girl in the village, lamented the
senseless killings expressing fears that if it continues, the ladies in the
village will have no one to marry. “I am tired of what is going on in this
community. If the situation persists, then those of us who are yet to marry
will have to look elsewhere because there will be no more young people to marry”.
She said the entire place is quiet now as those who survived the attack have
since disappeared to hide in other places. ” If you go to Lagos, Abuja and
other cities now, most of those who fought here on Monday are hiding there. I
mean graduates who should be thinking of better things to do are just roaming
there.”
Public Relations Officer for the Cross River Police Command, DSP Irene Ugbo, says normalcy has returned to the area and police is combing the village to ensure that everyone involved in the crisis is attested.
Source: Emma Una, Calabar (Vanguard News)
