Border communities in C’River are lamenting the influx of refugees and the encroachment of farms

Many border communities in Obanliku and Obudu LGAs in the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State have lamented the continued influx of refugees from Cameroon as well as the incessant encroachment on their farmlands by people from Benue State.

They expressed their concerns at a town hall meeting attended by key stakeholders such as paramount rulers, clan heads, village heads, youth groups and heads of security institutions in the district.

Director General of the Cross River State Border Commission (BORDERCOM), Onun Ngim Okpo, met with them as the state government continued to conduct a baseline survey/needs assessment of border communities.

Stakeholders particularly emphasized that the encroachment on their agricultural lands had often potentially led to communal conflicts with their neighbors.

They requested the creation of organized border patrol teams to address border violation issues.

The Director-General assured prompt government intervention, in line with Senator Prince Bassey Otu’s people-oriented leadership style.

He stressed the importance of peace and urged communities to actively participate in the assessment to improve government service delivery.