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The Clan Head of Efut Akani Esuk in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, Muri Eyo Effiong Okon V, has raised the alarm over what he described as a renewed wave of militancy and extortion in several riverine communities around Calabar.
The traditional ruler alleged that armed groups have taken control of parts of the creeks, imposing illegal taxes on fishermen and other residents while disrupting marine activities in the affected settlements.
Speaking in his palace on Wednesday, Okon said the activities of the militants have forced many residents to abandon their homes and means of livelihood for fear of attacks and intimidation.
According to him, the armed groups routinely extort fishermen, seize portions of their catches and compel them to pay levies before carrying out their daily activities on the waterways.
“I receive reports almost daily about the activities of these militants. They extort fishermen, impose illegal taxes and terrorise innocent residents who depend on fishing and other lawful businesses for survival,” the monarch alleged.
He claimed that while one of the settlements, Ine Nkanwaba, had been largely devastated and deserted due to militant activities, other communities including Afa Okon Inyang, Afa Iba, Afa Ita, Ine Isong and Ine Ikot Itukmbang remain under the influence of the armed groups.
The monarch attributed the situation to the difficult terrain of the creeks, which he said makes access challenging for security operatives.
He alleged that the militants exploit the shallow waterways and their knowledge of the area to evade arrest.
Okon recalled previous security interventions in the area but maintained that the operations did not permanently end the activities of the groups.
He said he has reported the matter to the state security authorities.
An elderly fisherman, Chief Okon Nyong Okon, 85, corroborated the monarch’s claims, saying he had fled his settlement to the mainland after years of alleged harassment and threats by the militants.
“They come in speedboats, demand taxes and sometimes take away our catches. I can no longer endure the threats. I have lost my canoe and fishing nets and now stay on the mainland for safety,” he said.
He appealed to the Cross River State government to come to his aid, as well as intervene and restore security in the affected creeks.
Efforts to obtain comments from security adviser (south) to Governor Bassey Otu on the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
