Three Arrested, Face Murder Charge For Role In Akamkpa Communal Crisis

***Community members stare at the corpse of one victim of the clash.***

The Cross River State Police Command says it has arrested three suspects in connection with the ongoing deadly communal crisis in Iko-Esai community, Akamkpa Local Government Area.

Obort Obia, Elijah Okomison, and Clement Akposi, the police say, will be charged with murder, arson, malicious damage, and conspiracy.

The Ikoi-Esai crisis escalated when one Christian Abakun, aged 30, was tragically shot and killed by Sunday David, a fellow indigene, using a locally made pistol. Two others were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Eight buildings, two vehicles, and 10 motorcycles were destroyed in the violence while the case and suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Calabar, with the CRS Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Augustine Grimah, assuring the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, with all involved parties facing prosecution.

Grimah urged residents of Iko-Esai community and Akamkpa Local Government indigenes to provide any relevant information concerning this crisis and to report to the nearest police station or the Police Command Headquarters in Calabar, as the Command he assured, will continue to work alongside other agencies to restore peace in the community.

The community has witnessed a protracted power tussle that has pitched her Council of Chiefs against her Youth Council over the control of vast community resources, www.calitown.com investigations reveal.