The costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war." - Hon. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor
IKOM —The Executive Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Hon. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor has called for Peace between the warring communities of Alesi in Ikom local government area and Ochon in Obubra Local government area.
This appeal was made in a statement marking the 2025 International Day for Peace also called World Peace Day,(WPD). Her call aligns with the global theme of the day, "Act Now For A Peaceful World," emphasizing the importance of collective action in promoting Peace and Unity.
The statement signed by her press secretary , Ntem Chris, reads in parts; Today, as the World joins hands to observe the International Day of Peace, Ikom Local Government Area stands at a critical moment in its history. Our beloved communities have recently been tested by violence, from cult-related clashes to the painful conflict between Alesi in Ikom LGA and Ochon in Obubra LGA. These incidents have left scars on families, disrupted livelihoods, and threatened the Peace we all cherish.
As Chairman of Ikom LGA, I deeply regret every life lost and every home shattered by these conflicts. I mourn with the families who grieve, and I stand in solidarity with the Youths, Women, Men, and Children who have borne the heaviest burden of violence. Every life is important and none is worth taking!
On this International Day of Peace, I reaffirm my sincerest and deepest commitment, and that of my administration, to ensuring that Peace is not just an aspiration but a reality for all communities in Ikom LGA. We are working tirelessly with security agencies, Ward Councillors, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and the government of Cross River State ably led by His Excellency Apostle Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu to:
Strengthen dialogue and reconciliation between disputing communities and ensure that they abide by the final decision of the State Government especially my people who have been badly hurt and brutalized.
Tackle cultism through youth engagement, youth sensitization, education, and empowerment initiatives for my people.
Establish local Peace structures to detect and resolve disputes before they escalate.
Promote tolerance, inclusion, and the values of brotherhood among our people.
I therefore call on the good people of Ikom, particularly our vibrant youths to reject violence in all its forms. Let us remember that no community wins in war; we all lose. But in Peace, we all prosper.
As a government, God bear me witness, we've not left any stone unturned as far as this matter is concerned. I've in every 24 hours of the day, been in touch with the security agencies, the Councillors representing these Wards, the traditional rulers of these communities, the Youths, and even the Women. Relief materials have been sent repeatedly to those communities as well as financial support/assistance.
I've at all times been on the phone with the Commanding Officer of the 245 Recce Battalion Affi, Col. Ajibade Bello. I've also been in touch with the Area Commander of Okuni, ACP Vincent Adelekun, and the Divisional Police Officer [DPO] of Ikom, CSP Abdulrahman. I've visited the good people of Alesi/Ekukunela with my Special Adviser on Peace and Security, and other of my Appointees, several times to let them know that we're all in this together. There's never a time that I've heard any form of threat on my people that I've not called the security agencies to mount security on my people.
As a government certain details and update cannot be put in the public domain for security reasons, but my beloved Ikom people, I'm a mother and I understand the pains of losing a child, a husband, a wife, a brother and even a sister, trust me, I'm not sleeping as even the Deputy Governor would bear me witness that I've not allowed him rest for a second. The lives of my people are more important than anything on earth!
Lastly, I had a security meeting with all the security agencies yesterday, and I've mandated them to secure my people, and I want to reassure you that Peace is not even close, but peace is here.
I want to thank the State Governor, His Excellency, Apostle Sen. [Prince] Bassey Edet Otu, his amiable Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, Speaker of the CRSHA, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, member representing the good people of Ikom 1, Hon. Neji Abang, Senator Eteng Jones, Hon. Victor Abang, Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba, and a host of others for their outstanding and tremendous support from the inception of this crisis to date. To all the Stakeholders and political leaders of Ikom LGA who have stood firm in support of our people, I say thank you and God bless you abundantly.
The State Government has not left any stone unturned as far as this matter is concerned. We'll continue to work closely as I'll not relent until my people can return to their homes and sleep with both eyes closed.
In line with the People First Agenda of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, we are committed to making Ikom LGA not just the economic heartbeat of Cross River, but also a shining model of Peaceful coexistence and development.
On this International Day of Peace, let us recommit ourselves: to dialogue over destruction, to unity over division, and to peace over violence.
May Peace reign in Ikom, may peace reign in Cross River State, and may Peace reign in Nigeria."
The International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21, serves as a reminder of the need for nations, communities, and individuals to work together towards a more Peaceful World. Hon. Mercy Nsor's initiative is particularly significant given the history of communal conflicts in the region.
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