The displaced Fulani herdsmen who took refuge in Utanga, Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State in the last one month, following the communal clashes in Benue and Taraba states, have finally returned to their home states.
Majority of the displaced persons left in 25 buses, while a few others went in other vehicles conveying their cows and goats.
The Security Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke, Bassey Rekpene, on Saturday said “When the government saw that the communities they fled from is now calm and they all indicated their willingness to return to their states of origin, we took the necessary steps to arrange for their evacuation…we informed the security agencies here in this state and in their various states of the development.”
Spokesperson for the displaced persons, Umaru Adamu,appreciated the Cross River State Government and their host communities for accepting them and taking care of their needs. He also commended the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency for their prompt provision of relief materials.
“We have tasted the widely acclaimed hospitality of the people of Cross River State. No wonder tourism thrives in the state. We are already missing Obanliku and its people.” he said.
Meanwhile, the Community Leader, Chief Paulinus Ashipel, has described the departure of the over 3500 displaced persons as a relief to the Utanga community. According to him,
“Now that they are gone, we will fully resume our farming activities…their cows will no more graze on our farmlands.”
