- Two suspects apprehended in connection with the killing of three individuals and burning down of Nta village in Cross River
- Identity of suspects undisclosed; they allegedly orchestrated destruction of village; arrests made in Obubra LGA, Calabar for further questioning
Police authorities have apprehended two suspects allegedly involved in the killing of three individuals and the subsequent burning down of Nta village in Ikom LGA of Cross River State over the past weekend.
While the identities of the suspects remain undisclosed, it is reported that they orchestrated the destruction of the village.
The arrests took place in Obubra LGA, and initially, the suspects were detained in Ikom LGA for a brief period before being transferred to the state police headquarters in Calabar for further questioning on Friday.
Confirming the arrests and detention, the Divisional Police Officer in Ikom, Teryima Anthony, assured that additional suspects would be apprehended in due course.
Sources within the police department in Calabar revealed plans to apprehend more suspects beyond the youths who spearheaded the violence.
Survivors and elders from the Nta community, including Chief Assi Njan Batta and His Highness Livinus Mfono Nton, along with the youth president, Agbor Nkoro Mgbang, testified before the police in Calabar, recounting their harrowing experiences at the hands of the attackers.
The recent outbreak of communal strife reignited a long-standing conflict between the people of Ofunokpan in Mbembe tribe in Obubra LGA and the Nta community in Ikom LGA, dating back to 1993. The violence resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of property in the Nnaorokpa community in Nta, Ikom.