Calabar — About 50 armed militants from Ebonyi State have allegedly invaded Adadama Community of Abi Local Government Council of Cross River State, killed 10 people and kidnapped seven farmers, according to the chairman of the council, Chief Frank Etta.

Etta spoke to journalists in Calabar yesterday, saying that the militants were from Amagu community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State and were armed with AK47, GPMGs and hand grenades. "Once they crossed the boundary line into Adadama in Abi LGA, they immediately found and kidnapped over seven farmers and took them to unknown destination in Amagu," he said.

He said, "a group of heavily armed men, some dressed in Mopol uniform numbering 20 drove in two brand new Hilux van without registration number, entered Abi LGA yesterday (January 19) through Ugep-Abakaliki road at Agbo central into Adadama, blocked the entrance and slaughtered at least 8 people and beheaded two."

He also alleged that the militants kidnapped one Mr James Ekoro, the secretary of the Adadama Traditional Rulers, adding that the militants also destroyed a newly constructed police station in the community and carted away valuable office furniture already provided in the station by the state government.

Acting Governor of Cross River, Mr Efiok Cobham, who went on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected community, confirmed this on Sunday in Adadama. He said that government has put machinery in motion to ensure that normalcy returned to the area.