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• August 29, 2025
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Cross River: Peace, security top agenda as Akpabuyo residents chart new course

The people of Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State are determined to chart a new course for peace, security and prosperity in the area. This is as they celebrated the 34th anniversary of the council’s creation, marking the milestone with cultural displays, communal festivities, and renewed optimism for peace, security, and prosperity. Speaking
Cross River: Peace, security top agenda as Akpabuyo residents chart new course

The people of Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State are determined to chart a new course for peace, security and prosperity in the area.

This is as they celebrated the 34th anniversary of the council’s creation, marking the milestone with cultural displays, communal festivities, and renewed optimism for peace, security, and prosperity.

Speaking at the recent event, which held at the Council headquarters, former PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr. Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe, expresssed joy that peace had been restored in the area, noting that insecurity in past years would have made such a gathering impossible.

“Since His Excellency, Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu came into power, he put all measures in place to ensure calm and peace.

“Today, people can sleep in their houses with their eyes closed, and that is why you see this turnout from far and near,” she said.

Highlighting Akpabuyo’s strategic location as a natural maritime gateway bordered by rivers, Bakassi, and the Atlantic Ocean, Dr. Ambrose-Amawhe revealed that ongoing government investments in dredging, deep-sea port development, and marine ecosystem preservation will position Akpabuyo as a hub for maritime trade and economic growth.

The APC stalwart stressed that farmers and fishermen stand to gain immensely from these initiatives.

“With the pace of growth, Akpabuyo will contribute even more to the economic advancement of Cross River State and Nigeria. More jobs will mean more stability for our people,” she added.

She further explained that a major highlight of the celebration was the reopening of Akpabuyo’s historic barter trade market, the only one of its kind in West Africa, which had been shut for years due to insecurity.

Describing the revival of traditional exchanges such as fish for garri and palm oil, she said it was not only a testament to the community’s cultural resilience and economic rebirth but also a boost for the APC-led government in Cross River State and Nigeria at large.

Dr. Emana placed particular emphasis on women, describing them as the “backbone of agriculture and trade” in the area, and commended ongoing empowerment programmes designed to give them greater opportunities to thrive in both farming and commerce.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government, Hon. Effiom Bassey Effiong, expressed joy at hosting the first-ever official anniversary of the council’s creation.

“We are celebrating the birthday of Akpabuyo, and it happened during my time as chairman. The turnout shows how happy our people are. By next year, it will be even bigger,” he said.

He credited the prevailing peace for the success of the event, to Governor Bassey Otu, noting that only minimal security presence was required.

“The place is calm and safe. We have Marine Police, the Navy, the Army, the Airforce, and our local vigilantes. Investors from China and other countries are already showing interest; some have even acquired land to build a university and industries,” he revealed.

Hon. Effiong also announced plans to remodel the barter market into a world-class commercial hub and attract more investors.

Already, cross-border traders from Cameroon and beyond are boosting local economic activity.

The council chairman further urged Akpabuyo youths to embrace their cultural heritage, particularly the Efik language, which he said was at risk of being lost among younger generations.

“We value our culture and tradition. We encourage our youths in higher institutions to learn our mother tongue because our children no longer speak our language,” he appealed.

Agriculture also took center stage at the celebration.

Effiong noted that as an agrarian community, Akpabuyo is already benefiting from Governor Otu’s mechanized farming initiatives, which are creating jobs, strengthening food security, and opening up rural communities.

Reflecting on the creation of Akpabuyo from the old Odukpani Local Government in 1991, speakers agreed that the 34th anniversary was more than a cultural festival.

“It was a showcase of Akpabuyo’s resilience, its growing economic importance, and its potential role in shaping Nigeria’s maritime and agricultural future,” Effiong concluded.

Cross River: Peace, security top agenda as Akpabuyo residents chart new course

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• August 29, 2025
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Plateau Killings: ‘We are victims, not aggressors’ – Fulani group

A Fuliani group under the banner of the Coalition of Fulani Registered Organizations (COFRO), has cried out over what it described as the unjust profiling of herders as the aggressors in any violence that occurs in Plateau State. Chairman of the coalition in Bokkos Local Government Area, Sale Yusuf Adamu, who made the cry during
Plateau Killings: ‘We are victims, not aggressors’ – Fulani group

A Fuliani group under the banner of the Coalition of Fulani Registered Organizations (COFRO), has cried out over what it described as the unjust profiling of herders as the aggressors in any violence that occurs in Plateau State.

Chairman of the coalition in Bokkos Local Government Area, Sale Yusuf Adamu, who made the cry during a press conference in Jos on Thursday, said the group categorically rejects the claims that they are aggressors in the unending violence in the state, claiming that they are rather the victims.

While reacting to recent allegations by the Bokkos Concerned Youth (BCY) which accused Fulani herders of sacking over 300 communities in the LGA and killing over 200 innocent people, Adamu insisted that the perpetrators were not herdsmen as no herder has been arrested in connection with the attacks.

Adamu stated that as a result of the ‘unjust’ labelling of Fulani herders as killers and aggressors, they have suffered significant casualties, including the killing of their members, their cattle, destruction of their houses and sources of livelihood, as well as rustling of their cattle.

He claimed that many Fulani families have also been forced out of their ancestral communities by local milit8a gangs who then take over their lands.

The COFRO chairman also claimed that over 50 communities belonging to Fulani indigenous people have been sacked, listing them to include Marish, Cherget, Mangwan, Machambe, Kwatas, Dimish 1, Dimish 2, Wumat 1, Wumat 2, Dakin Kowa, Chikam 2, Garau, Bakanu, Dakanu, Angwan Abuja, Getel, Bot, Faranti, BFP Farms, Makada, Woshen, Rui, among others, all in Bokkos.

Adamu also debunked the allegations that Fulani herders often collude with security agencies whenever they are on a mission to attack communities in the council, and wondered how it could be possible for the herders to easily compromise the security forces.

He noted the accusations are not only false but speculative and dangerous, and capable of setting the peace-loving Fulani people of Bokkos LGA against the security forces.

Adamu, however, appealed for peace while calling on governments at all levels, security agencies, peace-loving individuals, stakeholders and the international community to disregard accusations leveled at herders, which are, according to him, false and baseless.

Plateau Killings: ‘We are victims, not aggressors’ – Fulani group

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• August 29, 2025
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NDA, Nigerian Army’s 1 Division to deepen collaboration on security operations

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Major General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, has assured the new General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase, of full collaboration to enhance ongoing military operations in the North-West. He gave the assurance on Thursday during the GOC’s familiarisation visit
NDA, Nigerian Army’s 1 Division to deepen collaboration on security operations

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Major General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, has assured the new General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase, of full collaboration to enhance ongoing military operations in the North-West.

He gave the assurance on Thursday during the GOC’s familiarisation visit to the NDA at Afaka, Kaduna.

Major General Ibrahim congratulated Wase on his appointment by the Chief of Army Staff as the 44th GOC of 1 Division, describing it as well deserved.

In his response, the GOC expressed readiness to support the Academy whenever required.

The visit featured a tour of the NDA Hall of Fame.

NDA, Nigerian Army’s 1 Division to deepen collaboration on security operations