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By Christian Njoku
The Yakurr Peoples Club (YPC), Abuja, has urged Ugep and Idomi communities in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River to exercise restraint and embrace dialogue over their lingering land dispute.
Retired Group Capt. Eloma Ikona made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN on Saturday in Calabar.
The Ugep and Idomi boundary crisis has been on for decades, usually resurfacing especially during the planting season.
Ikona expressed concern over recent rising tensions between both communities, warning that any violence would violate the Ekori Peace Accord of 2017 agreed by all Yakurr communities.
According to him, the accord is a historic framework for sustained peace, unity and mutual respect across communities in the local government area.
“Any community that initiates violence risks breaching a collective agreement and facing communal and institutional consequences.
“No grievance or territorial disagreement justifies bloodshed among Yakurr people, hence the need for immediate de-escalation, cessation of inflammatory rhetoric and restraint in youth mobilisation.
“Also, parties are urged to adopt lawful and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms to address their differences,” he said.
He warned that the progress and dignity of Yakurr people could only be sustained through peaceful coexistence, and history would judge harshly leaders or actors whose actions trigger avoidable conflicts.
Ikona emphasised that the Ekori Peace Accord was achieved through sacrifice and must not be undermined.
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to peace, urging all parties to choose dialogue over confrontation.
The YPC leader insisted that Yakurr communities must not return to past conflicts, saying unity remained paramount. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ehigimetor Igbaugba/Mark Longyen
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