Traditional leaders in Odukpani Local Government Area have placed a “deadly curse” on murderers and their collaborators, vowing that anyone with blood-stained hands will not survive in their communities.

The injunction followed the brutal killing of two residents last month in Akai Ibonda and Ukim Ita communities.

The victims, Okon Bassey and Okon Akpan Eshiet, were allegedly butchered by suspected cultists, with their dismembered bodies dumped in shallow graves.

Suspect Akaninyene Eshiet and others are in custody, and one of the suspects, Akaninyene, told police investigators the murders were in revenge for his parents and brothers who died years ago.

Etubom Arch Bassey Eyo Ndem, Etubom Edem Ita Essien and Etubom Efiom Eyo Ekpo announced the curse after a congress of village heads, youth leaders and women’s groups.

“In conjunction with the Cross River State government, we have reorganised our community security.”

“This new arrangement will be sealed with a deadly traditional injunction. It will affect anybody that enters or resides in our community whose hands are stained with blood,” Etubom Ndem declared.

The chiefs warned collaborators to relocate immediately. “The next few days will be rough for criminals and their sponsors,” they said. “Odukpani will no longer be a safe haven for killers.”

The traditional leaders presented a five-point action plan to stamp out cult killings and ritual murders. It includes tighter surveillance by village heads, intelligence sharing with youth groups, and joint patrols with security agencies.

Odukpani Council Chairman, Hon Etim Asido, represented by the council secretary, condemned the killings as “cruel” and pledged full council support for all legal measures to rid the area of bloodletting.

He said the state government shared the community’s resolve to ensure “such anomaly does not repeat itself in Odukpani or anywhere in Cross River.” (The Sun)