Invasion of Isu: Emetu, Osonwa, Okoro meets with security agencies, calls for calm.
In a positive step to forestall further occurrence of bloody boundary clashes between Abia and the neighbouring Cross River State, the Abia State Deputy Governor Engr Ikechukwu Emetu has called for a security presence in Isu-Arochukwu and Ukwa-Biase boundary pending the visit of the National Boundary Commission.
Speaking in his office during a security meeting, following the recent attack on Isu community in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State by the Ukwa people in Biase L.G.A of Cross River State on the 10th and 11th May, 2024, which left one dead and scores injured, Engr. Emetu pointed out that a joint taskforce in the area would forestall peace and stop encroachment by the invaders until the delineation is done by the NBC.
“Abia State is not happy with this recent development, and as a Government we will take several steps further in order to forestall future occurrences, waiting for the National Boundary Commission to come and do the delineation of boundary between Abia State and Cross River State.
“We want to make a bold step to ensure that we put barricade to forestall peace for the main time”, Abia Deputy Governor said.
He decried that the Isu people now live like Internally Displaced Persons in other communities including Ohafia and passionately called for a collaboration between the 14 Brigade Ohafia and 13 Brigade Cross River in order to reduce the invasion.
Speaking also, the Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Hon. Okwara Osonwa recalled the motion he raised on the 25th of October, 2023 at the floor of the green chamber as it affects the killings in Isu and the prayers he made that the military be put at the boundary to forestall peace.
He pointed out that a responsible and responsive Government is the one that secures lives and property of the citizens and which the present administration is known for and passionately appealed that the painful incident be resolved pending the visit of the NBC.
“We have to a bold step to solve this problem with the help of the security agencies”, he further buttressed.
In his contribution, the House leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, who described the incident as very pathetic, harped on the urgent need for the governments of Abia and Cross River to come into collaboration to see that they would restore the profound lasting solution to the crisis.
He moreover commended the security heads for the timely intervention in the area.
In his speech, the Commandant 14 brigade Ohafia, Brigade General O.O Diya called for a synergy between the the 14 Brigade Ohafia and 13 Brigade Cross River State to ensure strict surveillance, forestall peace and to stop any reprisal attack.
In his remarks, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie maintained that having a roboost presence of security personnel to man the disputed axis would serve as a way of detering future attack.
He also advised that the Governments of Abia and Cross River State and the relevant federal government agency which the National Boundary Commission should collaborate, find the root cause of the crisis and get the lasting solution.
