CALABAR, Nigeria — Unidentified armed men shot and killed one farmer and injured several others on Friday, July 3, 2026, during a suspected land dispute between two communities in Cross River State.
Golden Info reports that the Cross River State Police Command confirmed the attack on Monday, July 6, 2026, stating the violence occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. WAT. The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, identified the deceased as Nkeruwem Ikoh and the injured farmer currently receiving treatment as Ukam Ajah Okpan.
Eitokpah said, “The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, July 3, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., when two farmers, Mr Nkeruwem Ikoh and Mr Ukam Ajah Okpan, both of Orugbam Community, Erei, were allegedly attacked and shot by unidentified gunmen while working on their farmlands near Egbor Community.”
The police spokesperson noted that the victims were taken to the village for assistance before Ikoh died from the gunshot wounds. Eitokpah said, “The victims were rushed to the village for immediate assistance. Regrettably, Mr Nkeruwem Ikoh later succumbed to his injuries, while the second victim is currently receiving treatment. The deceased’s body has been deposited at Uwana Mortuary, Afikpo, Ebonyi State.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Digital Economy, Philip Obin, alleged that the attackers invaded the farmland from the neighbouring Egbor Community in Erei South, Biase Local Government Area. Obin said, “Let it be on record that today, July 4, 2026, armed persons from a community in Erei South, Biase LGA, together with their collaborators, invaded the farmland of my community, Urugbam.”
The police have commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack. Eitokpah said, “Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses. The communities should remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands and cooperate with the police by providing credible information that may assist the ongoing investigation.”