By Comr Amos Oge Kalu

Abia Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, has assured the people of Okon-Aku that the state government is committed to resolving the lingering boundary issue between Abia and Cross River State. This assurance was given during the 2024 Okon-Aku Day Celebration held on December 31, 2024, under the chairmanship of Chief Kalu Idika Okwara, President of the Ohafia Improvement Union, OIU, Abuja Chapter.

The boundary dispute between Okon-Aku community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State and Ikun community in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State has been a source of concern for the people of the area. The dispute has led to allegations of land encroachment and threats of violence, even a prolonged communal clashes at scale of war about a decade ago.

However, Engr. Emetu’s assurance has brought hope to the people of Okon-Aku, who have been living in fear of imminent crisis. The Deputy Governor’s commitment to resolving the boundary issue is in line with the state government’s determination to address inter and intra-state boundary disputes in Abia State.

In a related development, the Nnaka IV of Okon-Aku HRH Eze Engr Ndukwe Iko while thanking the Abia State government and particularly the energetic deputy governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu and other dignitaries who honoured the invitation, called on the Federal Government and the governors of Abia and Cross River states to intervene in the boundary dispute to prevent an inter-state crisis.

Ohafia South State Constituency Representative, Chief Kalu Mba Nwoke while addressing OHAFIATV over the matter vehemently debunked claims of his Cross River State House of Assembly counterpart who alleged encroachment on Ikun land by Okon-Aku community, calling it bogus and unfounded, assuring of Abia government efforts to liaise with the Federal Boundary Commission to realign the boundary between the two communities.

With the assurance from Engr. Emetu and the calls for intervention from the Federal Government and the governors of Abia and Cross River states, the people of Okon-Aku are hopeful that the boundary dispute will be resolved soon, bringing peace and development back to the area.