Tension In Cross River As Residents Accuse Soldiers Of Blocking Burial Of Clash Victims

Residents fleeing the Odonget community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State have accused soldiers of preventing them from returning to bury relatives killed during last week’s violent clash with troops.

The soldiers, drawn from the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the 245 Battalion, Edor Barracks, were deployed to the area following unrest linked to illegal mining activities.

According to Daily Post, residents alleged that bodies of those killed during the violence still litter parts of the community, as families remain unable to retrieve or bury their dead.

An Odonget youth leader, Theo Abeng, who spoke from neighbouring Ochon village, said attempts to access the community for burial arrangements were met with resistance.

“The soldiers opened fire on us. One of the boys was killed and we had to flee, leaving his body behind. We also saw bodies from last week still decomposing because they have not been buried,” he claimed.

Abeng further disclosed that troops have maintained a strong presence in the community, carrying out both daytime and nighttime patrols.

He also accused some soldiers of involvement in illegal mining activities, alleging that they seized precious stones, reportedly tin ore, from miners, many of whom he said were from northern Nigeria.

Sources said the crisis began on March 11 after a miner, identified as Ibrahim Musa, was allegedly assaulted by youths at a checkpoint, where his minerals were also confiscated.

The miner reportedly reported the incident to soldiers at the 245 Battalion near Ochon, prompting a military response to arrest those involved.

Tensions escalated when other youths blocked access roads and confronted the soldiers, leading to an exchange of gunfire that left several people injured.

The situation deteriorated further after two soldiers were reportedly killed during the clash, triggering reinforcement of troops in the area.

The Nigerian Army, however, insisted that its presence in Odonget was aimed at restoring peace and order.

In a statement issued on March 12, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, described the deployment as a stabilisation effort.

He explained that troops were later ambushed by unidentified gunmen after leaving the area, prompting a military response.

“During the engagement, troops neutralised four of the armed attackers, while several others escaped,” Sokoya stated.

He maintained that the military’s show of force had helped to calm tensions and restore normalcy in the troubled community.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that a special adviser to the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, Major General Obono Ubi, visited the community a few days after the incident.