A farmer has been killed and another injured in a renewed communal clash in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Residents alleged that suspected armed men from Egbor Community attacked farmers from neighbouring Orugbam Community while they were working on their farmland near Egbor Community in Erei, triggering fresh tension between the two communities.
The allegation was circulated on social media, where a Facebook user, Philip Obin, claimed the attackers killed one farmer and left several others with gunshot injuries.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command said two farmers, identified as Nkeruwem Ikoh and Ukam Ajah Okpan, both from Orugbam Community, came under attack by suspected gunmen while working on their farmland at about 3 p.m.
The command, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Eitokpah Sunday, said both victims were rushed for medical treatment, but Ikoh later died from the injuries he sustained, while Okpan is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
According to the police, Ikoh’s remains have been deposited at Uwana Mortuary in neighbouring Ebonyi State.
The command appealed to residents of Orugbam, Egbor and neighbouring communities to remain calm, refrain from reprisals and allow security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.
Police also urged anyone with useful information to come forward to assist investigators in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators.