A fresh land dispute in Cross River State has claimed the life of a farmer, while several others sustained injuries after suspected gunmen attacked a farming community in Biase Local Government Area.
The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Digital Economy, Philip Obin, alleged that the attack occurred on Friday in Urugbam community, where the deceased, Nkeruwem Ikoh, popularly known as Obong Ikor Obong, was working on his farmland.
Obin accused armed men suspected to have come from the neighbouring Egbor community in Erei South of carrying out the attack.
He said the assailants invaded the farmland and opened fire on farmers, killing Ikoh and leaving several others with gunshot wounds.
“Let it be on record that today, July 4, 2026, armed persons from a community in Erei South, Biase Local Government Area, together with their collaborators, invaded the farmland of my community, Urugbam,” Obin said.
He also faulted what he described as the government’s neglect of the community amid the lingering land dispute.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said an investigation had commenced.
According to the police spokesperson, the attack occurred at about 3pm on Friday when two farmers, Nkeruwem Ikoh and Ukam Ajah Okpan, were allegedly attacked by unidentified gunmen while working on their farmlands near Egbor community.
He said the victims were rushed to the village for immediate assistance, but Ikoh later died from his injuries, while the second victim is receiving treatment.
Eitokpah added that the deceased’s body had been deposited at Uwana Mortuary in Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
He assured residents that the command had launched a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
The police also appealed to residents of Orugbam, Egbor and neighbouring communities to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands and provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.
