…says peaceful coexistence is prerequisite for development
A concerned Boki son and community stakeholder, Amb. Soni Abang, has condemned in strong terms the recurring violence, destruction and loss of lives associated with the crisis in Boki, particularly around Boje and Iso-Bendeghe communities, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to peace.
Amb. Abang said it was unacceptable for human lives to be sacrificed over cocoa farms, land disputes or any other material interest, stressing that no economic gain can ever justify the loss of a human life.
In how words, “Cocoa is not worth a single human life. Cocoa can be replanted, farms can be recultivated and properties can be replaced, but a human life lost can never be recovered.”
The Boki stakeholder said he had deliberately refused to take the matter to the “court of public opinion,” explaining that he had consistently engaged in consultation with stakeholders and encouraged his people to remain peaceful while options for a peaceful resolution of the crisis are sought.
According to him, he remains committed to peace and urged families and communities to refrain from taking advantage of the situation or turning the crisis into a public war of accusations, recriminations and malicious falsehood.
Amb. Abang also expressed concern over the spread of rumours surrounding the crisis, insisting that such rumours could further undermine ongoing peace-building efforts and escalate tensions.
He appealed to the Cross River State Government, the Local Government Council Chairman, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders to sustain efforts toward ending the conflict, while ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the crisis are properly investigated and that justice and accountability prevail.
A CALL FOR NEW HEARTS AND A RETURN TO PEACE
While making his appeal, Amb. Abang also drew inspiration from the Scriptures, urging all parties to embrace forgiveness, reconciliation and a genuine change of heart.
Quoting from Ezekiel 36:26–27 says;
26 “A new heart also will I give you, a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh. I will give you an heart of flesh.”
27 “And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them.”
The passage, he noted, offers a powerful message for communities facing conflict. Peace requires a change of heart, rejection of hatred and a willingness to pursue justice, reconciliation and coexistence.
The concerned Boki son further appealed to people on all sides to reject rumours, inflammatory statements and retaliatory actions capable of worsening the situation.
He said the people of Boki deserve to live, farm and conduct their legitimate activities without fear, adding that continued violence would only deepen the suffering of ordinary people.
Amb. Abang concluded with a strong appeal:
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. COCOA IS NOT WORTH A LIFE. BOKI DESERVES PEACE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY. OUR PEOPLE DESERVE TO LIVE.”
