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.