Cross River governor vows to protect every inch of state land, warns against boundary disputes
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State made a strong statement, assuring that no part of the state’s land will be given up to neighboring states. He spoke out after recent conflicts over land borders between communities in Cross River and neighboring states, which have led to violence, destruction, and loss of property.
Otu made these remarks during a visit by the Cross River Elders’ Forum and other important community leaders. He emphasized that although the people of Cross River are peaceful and kind, they should not be seen as weak. “We are not surrendering an inch of our land to anyone. Cross Riverians are peaceful and loving people, but our kindness must not be mistaken for weakness,” he said firmly.
The governor also revealed that drones would be used to monitor the state’s borders more closely to keep its territorial integrity safe. “We are putting in place the necessary measures to protect our borders,” Otu explained, showing his commitment to state security.
The governor also spoke about the importance of improving infrastructure and tackling issues like farmer-herder clashes, illegal mining, and communal disputes. He stressed the need to address these problems quickly to make Cross River a safer, more prosperous place.
Otu explained that many clashes between farmers and herders were due to misunderstandings that could be avoided. His government is working hard to ensure peace and resolve these issues once and for all.
On the topic of illegal mining, Otu expressed concern about the unregulated exploitation of Cross River’s resources, saying that this could harm the state’s future. He plans to work closely with security agencies to ensure that mining is regulated and controlled to prevent any further damage.
He also mentioned efforts to improve the state’s road networks and overall infrastructure, which will support the growth of the economy. “We must have the basic infrastructure to support our people and harness our vast landmass,” he said.
Col. Pam Ogar, a leader of the Cross River Elders’ Forum, praised the governor for his work so far. He noted that the meeting was a chance to discuss important issues like boundary disputes, illegal mining, and violence in communities. The Forum called for a census of those involved in mining to better regulate the activities and prevent future security risks.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to peace, development, and working together for the future of Cross River State.
