Chief Caesar Enu has called for an immediate and peaceful resolution to the renewed crisis involving Boje and Isobendeghe communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, insisting that farmers whose farms have been destroyed must not be left to bear the losses alone.
The Boje–Isobendeghe dispute has a long history and has repeatedly affected lives, property and farming activities in the area. Recent reports have again raised concerns about violence and destruction in parts of Boki, with community stakeholders calling for calm and an end to retaliatory actions.
Reacting to the situation, Chief Enu said “enough is enough”, stressing that Boki, as a civil society, deserves better than continued violence and destruction.
According to him, farmers in Isobendeghe who have spent years working hard in the forest and cultivating their farms should not become the ultimate victims of a land dispute.
Enu argued that the farmers have invested their time, labour and resources into developing the land and contributing to the local economy, adding that their efforts should be recognised rather than destroyed.
He said the destruction of farms amounts to economic sabotage because it wipes away the livelihood of people who depend on agriculture to feed their families and contribute to the economy of Boki.
“Isobendeghe farmers have worked hard in the forest. They deserve compensation for their farms destroyed,” Enu said.
He maintained that irrespective of whatever names may be given to the affected farmers or the circumstances surrounding the disputed land, destroying their farms should not be accepted as a solution.
Chief Enu further called on the government to consider a buffer zone or protected reserve arrangement in the disputed area, with such a zone properly demarcated and continuously monitored by the Boki Vigilante and relevant security agencies to prevent further encroachment and violence.
He said such an arrangement could help protect the land while also giving the government and community leaders the opportunity to pursue a lasting resolution to the dispute.
Enu also stressed that if government decides that any portion of land must be taken over for public purposes or as a reserve, the affected farmers should be properly identified and compensated.
“If land must be taken over by government, the farmers must be compensated. They have worked hard,” he said.
He appealed to the government, traditional rulers, community leaders and all stakeholders to move beyond blame and focus on protecting lives, livelihoods and the future of Boki.
His position comes amid renewed calls for peace in the wider Boje, Isobendeghe and Nsadop axis, where stakeholders have warned against further escalation and urged residents to allow security agencies to investigate incidents rather than resort to retaliation.
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