Gunshots were heard on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning when the Oba and Itega Okpame communities in the Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State clashed over a parcel of rice farm.

Though the number of casualties was unknown, That some houses, including that of former chairman of state Carnival Commission, Gabe Onah, were allegedly burnt.

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, said he was aware that miscreants from one of the communities invaded the other community which had accused them of setting the rice farm on fire.

“Delegations from the warring communities had met with my DPO in charge of Okpoma. We have mobilised our men to take over these places. We are going to ensure peace and security,” Alhassan said.

It was further gathered that elders of the communities are meeting to resolve the crisis, while the residents have fled the two communities and taken refuge in the palace of the paramount ruler of Yala LGA, HRH Ogamode Onah Ipuole.