C’River cocoa farmers decry alleged intimidation by soldiers
Ani Bassey
Some cocoa farmers in Etung local government area in Central Cross River State operating under the aegis of Njor and Cocoa Allottees, have raised alarm over alleged intimidation by soldiers.
Led by Asu Njor, they decried the intimidation of cocoa allottees and their workers at Abonita government cocoa estate.
The group requested for thorough investigation on the legality of five soldiers providing security to one Mr. Mbu Liku ( also a Cocoa farmer), in the estate.
The aggrieved farmers asked the military authority in Cross River to caution her personnel, not to allow themselves to be used by civilian elements to intimidate and harass fellow farmers having boundary dispute with their neighbours.
They explained that in suit No: HM/73/2020, HC/MSC/24/204, and CA/C/117/2023, pending at the Cross River State High Court Odukpani and the Appeal court Calabar, the court had ordered Mbu Liku to desist forthwith from entering the cocoa farm in government owned cocoa estate, pending when the matter will be determined by the court unfortunately Liku would not listen.
Njor stressed that he is surprised that a mere civilian can resort to use of soldiers to intimidate other allottees even a matter is in court.
“I urged the military authority not to allow people use their personnel to intimidate cocoa allottees at the Abonita cocoa estate.
“When a matter is in Court ,we expect that both parties to allow the court to decide rather than resort to the use of unknown soldiers to intimidate people.
“Some soldiers were seen in the estate on Saturday when everybody was busy with environmental sanitation.
“Some of my boys who went early to continue with the spraying of black pods chemicals in plot 77(Block 7B) actually saw three armed soldiers in company of one Mr. Mbu Liku, his wife, and one Mr. Abolika ofcourse my boys took to their heels for fear of harassment”, he said.
He stresses that the military should re-direct their efforts in the protection of the common man instead of allowing themselves to be used against law abiding citizens.
Reacting to the allegations in a telephone conversation, Mr. Mbu Liku denied any involvement in the use of soldiers to intimidate anyone, claiming the allegations were false.
Also speaking on the issue, Army Public Relations Officer PRO 13 Brigade Nigeria army, Akim Barracks Calabar, Cross River State, Capt. Jemila Jimoh, denied drafting any to accompany Mbu Liku to intimate and harass cocoa allottees at Abonita Cocoa estate.
