Group Raises Alarm Over Use of Soldiers To Intimidate  Cocoa farmers in C’River 

By Ene Ene, Calabar 

Some cocoa  farmers operating in Etung local government area under the aegis of Njor and Cocoa Allottees, led  by Mr. Asu Njor, has raised the alarm over what they  described  as used of unknown soldiers to harass and  intimidate cocoa allottees and their workers at Abonita  government cocoa estate in Etung local government area in Cross River State.

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 group raised the alarm  while answering questions from Journalists  on the allegation Tuesday in Càlabar.

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 disputes with their  neighbours.

“Despite warning from three different courts in Etung , Odukpani and Appeal court Càlabar that Mbu  Liku  should  steer clear  from the cocoa plots which had been in contention with the Cross River State government, unfortunately Liku has refused to heed.

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  Càlabar,  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 who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved persons stressed  that he is surprised that a mere civilian can resort to use of soldiers to intimidate other allottees  even as the matter is in court.

“I urged the  military authority not  to allow people to use their personnel to intimidate cocoa allottees at the Abonita cocoa estate.

“When a matter is in Court ,we expect 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 of course my boys took to their  heels for fear of harassment”.

“The unknown soldiers were parading the area legitimately  allocated to us by the state government at Abonita cocoa estate”.

“This is not the first timethey are doing that to me. some time ago, my workers and I were chased out by this same group of individual”. 

“Luckily this time around, we sighted them first going round our farm, of course we knew that if we didn’t take cover, we might be hurt.So we took cover”.

“Mbu usually does that whenever he knows cocoa has gotten to a period when harvesting is nearer.He uses  soldiers to chase my workers and i and to enable him harvest the fruits of our labour, reaping the sweat of our labour”.

“Nobody is above the law.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 like me in  civil matters”.
“I do not think that there is war at Abonita Cocoa estate ro warrant military men coming to chase workers away”.

“That we have trouble with an individual who has a brother in the army does not mean we are lesser individuals. Of Course we were all Nigerians”.

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 Akim Barracks Càlabar, Cross River State, Capt. Jemila Jimoh, denied drafting any  to  accompany Mbu Liku to intimate and harass cocoa allottees at Abonita Cocoa estate.

The  army PRO said, “Let the person come to us  so that we can identify the soldiers.She maintained