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