Communal conflicts: Igbo in C-River appeal for help

IGBO resident in Cross River State, yesterday, took stock of the losses they have suffered in the past few months following attacks  on them during communal conflicts by feuding communities in the state and appealed for help from the state and Federal Governments.

Communal clash

The  appeal was made  when Igbo  in Cross River State paid a sympathy visit on their brethren living in Uyanga and Ojor communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, who lost lives and  property when they were attacked  during  a recent communal conflict in the area President  of Igbo Community in the state, Dr Lawrence Chukwuemeka, who spoke at the palace of the Clan Head of Uyanga, Ophot Felix Akposi,  expressed displeasure that the Igbo in the state were always the target of attack during communal conflicts by  feuding communities in the state even when such conflicts have nothing to do with them.

 “The Igbo  are usually made the scapegoats  when communities in the state are involved in any misunderstanding even when such conflict is not related to us.

 “Recently,  we read in the papers that two communities in Akamkpa, Uyanga and Ojor were  involved in communal conflict and when hostilities ended,  we began to hear stories that Igbo were the ones attacked and  over 30 shops were  destroyed while some of them lost their lives, while others lost what they had worked for all their lives.”

 Ophot Akposi , who said that the destruction was not done by his people, promised to make a case with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA,  and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to extend some assistance to those whose businesses and homes were  razed down.