Pius Abang, a cocoa merchant and former aspirant for the House of Representatives seat in the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, has denied allegations linking him to a deadly communal clash that reportedly left at least four people dead last week.
The violence, which broke out between the Boje and Isobendeghe communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, has been attributed by stakeholders to longstanding tensions over land ownership.
Abang is among those reportedly accused of instigating the conflict.
Speaking to journalists, Abang firmly denied any involvement, stating that it would be illogical for him to sponsor violence in Isobendeghe, a community where he has substantial agricultural investments.
According to him, “I’ve several hectares of cocoa crop in Isobendeghe. It will amount to jeopardising my investments by fuelling violence in the area.
“Since May 15, 2025, I have been unable to enter my cocoa plantation after four armed men threatened my life.
“Farming is my primary source of livelihood. I cannot risk losing such investments, soon after unfavourable government policies made me lose my timber business.”
Abang attributed the allegations to political opponents seeking to undermine him ahead of the 2027 elections. He claimed these rivals had employed individuals to spread falsehoods about him on social media in a bid to damage his reputation.
“As a law-abiding citizen, I have reached out to the Commissioner of Police, requesting his intervention in the matter,” he added.
As part of efforts to restore peace between the warring communities, Chairman of Boki LGA, Eti-Eka Beatrice Nyiam, disclosed that there have been “multiple high-level peace meetings with the State Security Adviser, consultations with security agencies, signing of a peace accord, and a critical dialogue facilitated by the Council. These were held at the Paramount Ruler of Boki’s Palace at Olum.”
She further revealed that the Surveyor General of the State is currently in the process of delineating boundaries as part of a long-term solution to the crisis.
