Farmers trade blames over Cocoa estates assault in Cross River
The crisis rocking Abonita Cocoa Estate in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State took a different dimension weekend following accusations that one of the farmers, Mbu Liku is allegedly using soldiers to intimidate and assault others.
The farmers accused Liku of allegedly deploying the use of soldiers to not only intimidate them but also to forcefully take and usurp their farm produce.
But speaking in an interview with South South Punch in Calabar on Tuesday
Liku dismissed the allegations of intimidation and assault, describing them as a ‘’lie from the pit of hell”.
He said at no time has he engaged the services of any soldier to physically assault, intimidate or harass a fellow farmer as claimed by a group of farmers whom he alleged were being sponsored by one Njor Asu, to blackmail him.
Some aggrieved farmers at the cocoa estate had early this week accused Mbu Liku, of using soldiers to beat, intimidate fellow farmers, chase them away from their farms and usurp their farm produce.
The allotees, who include Mr. Joseph Ekong, Pastor Duke Njor, Ekuri Boniface, NicNtui, Clement Isong-Amba, and Pastor Etta Roland, alleged that soldiers had on several occasions assaulted and harassed them on the orders of Mbu Liku.
Liku said, “Why would I order soldiers to assault my fellow farmers? Am I a serving officer? No! . I am a common civilian like they are.
“This is the biggest lie from the pit of hell. Those who know me well can attest to the fact that I can’t hurt even a fly, let of hurt my fellow farmers.
“Those accusing me of having an alliance with soldiers in the estate are the thieves and people with questionable character and afraid of the presence of any security personnel around the estate because their hands aren’t clean.”.
Efforts to speak to Mr. NjorAsu, to react to the allegations were not successful as of the time of filing this report.
Source _ Punch
