CALABAR — A heated dispute over missing plantains turned fatal over the weekend in Akpap-Okoyong, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, as two middle-aged men, identified as Edet and Effiong, died after attacking each other with machetes.
According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation began when Effiong stormed Edet’s residence, furious over the disappearance of a bunch of plantains from his farm. Armed with a machete, Effiong accused Edet of stealing the crop after being told someone had seen him carrying plantains from the farm’s direction.
In the ensuing argument, Effiong reportedly struck Edet with the machete. In retaliation, Edet grabbed his own machete and attacked Effiong. Before neighbors could intervene, both men had inflicted deep, life-threatening cuts on each other.
Witnesses said the duo were rushed to a nearby health centre but could not receive adequate medical care due to a lack of facilities and equipment. Both men later died from excessive blood loss and dehydration.
The tragic incident has thrown the Akpap-Okoyong community into mourning.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer for Cross River State Command, SP Irene Ugbo, said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the violent clash and why community members failed to intervene before the situation turned deadly.
