Tension In Boki Over Killing of Farmer, Stakeholders Appeal for Calm

By Abang Obi

THERE is palpable fear and tension in Boki local government area of Cross River over the killing of a farmer at Onicha Fare settlement.

Onicha Farm settlement is a big farm land where cocoa and other crops are cultivated and it is situated between Boje and Isobendeghe communities. 

For some time, the two neighbouring communities have been engaged in a longstanding land skirmishes leading to lose of lives and destruction of crops.

However, troubled seems to be brewing again following the killing of a farmer by gunmen at his farm at Onicha Farm axis 

The ugly incident took place yesterday, Monday, August 5,2026. This has set the two communities on edge and there are fears of outbreak of reprisal.

An eye witness told THE BEAGLE NEWS exclusively that the deceased, who lives at Isobendeghe but hails from Ebonyi State, had gone to tend to his cocoa farm as usual but was allegedly attacked by assailant and subsequently killed him in the process.  

According to the witness, the deceased was said to have cried for help to no avail as the assailant clinically killed the man and took off without interceptions.

The witness further said following the cry from the deceased, some good Samaritans had arrived only to see the farmer lying in a pool of blood as the assailant had taken to their heels.

Investigations showed that the owner of the cocoa farm is a Lady from Isobendeghe who rented out the parcel of land to the deceased. It was also learnt that the land has been in dispute between the Isobendeghe Lady and a man from Boje. 

The Isobendeghe Lady and the Boje man are said to be having a running battle over the right ownership of the cocoa farm for over a decade even as the there has been border skirmishes between the two neighbouring communities. 

However, stakeholders have condemned the incident calling on police authourities to intervene and apprehend the killers to restore peace to Boki nation, as they are not ready to go into another room me of communal war. 

THE BEAGLE NEWS also gathers that the traditional leadership of Boki has called for an urgent meeting to find out what went wrong again amid their electioneering.

Reacting, High Chief Kevin Njong, the 

 APC Boki Chapter Chairman, condemned the killing, calling on the security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident to fish out the culprit.

In a terse statement made available to newsmen, Njong said : "I have received with shock the reported killing of a man in his farm at Onicha Farm in Boje ward, Boki local government area. 

"It is a very sad and outrageous incident especially at this time when we are enjoying peace among the communities in this area. 

"I strongly condemn this dastardly act and call on the security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident to fish out the culprit. Let me plead with all citizens in the adjoining communities to remain calm while the security agencies continue to investigate the unhealthy incident."

 THE BEAGLE NEWS