Bishop burnt alive, son beheaded, houses razed in Cross River community

A bishop was burnt alive and his son beheaded in a renewed communal clash in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

It was gathered that the tragedy struck in the heat of the intercommunity conflict between Abanwan and Urugbam in Erei clan.

Baise is the local government of origin to the state deputy governor, Professor Ivara Esu.

According to Nigerian Tribune, sources from the communities who spoke on strict conditions of anonymity said that the bishop was ambushed alongside his son on a motorbike on their way from Abanwan community to nearby Afikpo in Ebonyi State.

No fewer than six houses and their occupants were set ablaze as the attackers mobilised and invaded Abanwan community.

The Erei communities have over the years been at loggerheads over a piece of land that was established by the defunct Eastern Region before the Nigerian Civil War as Oil Palm Plantation Settlement.

The settlement was handed over to the Cross River State Government shortly after the Nigerian civil war of 1967 to 1970, given that the location is in the state. However, the Erei community, where the oil palm plantation is located, has 10 villages, who now scramble for ownership.