Nde Community Under Siege By Herdsmen
By Missang AKPET
The people of Nde Community in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State are currently living in fear as they have recently become victims of several attacks.
Nde in the past 2 months have experienced five attacks from yet to be identified bandits with over 30 victims taken hostage and about 10 killed including a baby.
A visit to the community by our reporter revealed that the village was deserted as villagers have all abandoned it to seek refuge in another village a few kilometers away called old Nde while a handful who were left remained indoors.
An indigene, Prince Etaba who spoke with The Beagle News said the attacks still remain as a shock for never in their wildest imagination did they ever believe they would live in fear in their own home.
"We can't sleep at night for fear of another strike. The whole village has moved to our ancestral home Old Nde where we migrated from to hide for fear of being taken hostage or even killed," he said.
Another indigene, Desmond Abobo hinted that the attackers were Fulani heredsmen. According to him, "They had once made an attempt to settle in our community but we refused and chased them away".
"When you see them, you'll know their Fulani's and their intonation when they speak indicates so. "This matter is a very issue and we are calling on the government to live up-to its responsibility of protecting its citizens," he said.
Meanwhile, the kidnappers have released a video which had been circulating on social media showing the hostages and them (Kidnappers) putting on military camouflage, wielding AK47 rifles and speaking Hausa Language. It was revealed that the hoodlums collect as low as ₦100,000 to release their victims.
