Youths decry communal clashes, bloodshed in C/River

An assembly of Cross River youth leaders, under the umbrella of Ikem-Esit Mkparawa Essien Efik Duop Eba, yesterday called on restive communities which have been involved in long drawn skirmishes to sheath their swords.

Chairman of the assembly, Mr Ekpo Ekeng, said the crisis had given them sleepless nights and was no longer welcoming to the Efiks who cherish peace.

Speaking to journalists in Calabar, Ekeng said, “The issue of war in Eki, Obomitat, Etehentem Ikot Otu and Ikot Efa is one issue that gives us sleepless nights and we have made a move to see how we can bring them together and solve the problem once and for all.

“Our message is that this must be the first and last Efik community to fight with one another even with their neighbouring communities. Efik people are always known to be peaceful, we love peace and are always ready to embrace peace”, he said.

Advising them, former Special Adviser to the president on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, commended youths in the Southern Senatorial District of the state for intervening in the communal crisis in the state.

She said their intervention in the crisis and their coming together as youths was a good development and would go a long way in enhancing peace, socio-economic and political development of the state.