BEVERLY HILLS, November 15, (THEWILL) – The palace of Chief Edward Osim, the Paramount Ruler of Abi local Government Area of Cross River State and father-in-law to former President Goodluck Jonathan has been reportedly set ablaze by their Ebom neighbours in a communal conflict between the two communities.
According to reports, the conflict began in September during the time of political parties’ primaries where Prince Edward, son-in-law to President Jonathan, contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives post for the Abi/Yakkkur Federal constituency.
“One person was allegedly abducted and killed by the Ebom people after the an Usumutong youth tried to attack an Ebom okada man and his passengers who managed to escape and since then the conflict has been boiling between the two neighbouring communities,” a local stated.
He said skirmishes started in the night of Wednesday when the Ebom people allegedly stormed the Usumutong community and set homes ablaze and killed many people.
He said over a thousand refugees from Usumutong are now taking refuge in the palace of the Obol Lopol, the King of Ugep and their plight is pathetic.
“Many of those who are here came almost bare body because the conflict started at the night when they had gone to bed so they barely escaped with what they had in their bodies”.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Cross River Police Command, Irene Ugbo, said the police is responding to the situation by sending more anti riot policemen to the area.
