The paramount ruler of Belegete, HRM Uchua Amos Item, in an interview, said the insurgents razed houses before fleeing, adding that the rebels had earlier abducted over 40 Cross River indigenes and killed the clan head, Chief Francis Okweshi.
The Ambazonian rebels infiltrated the Belegete community on December 5, leading to the displacement of scores of residents.
The paramount ruler lamented that the displaced people were yet to return because the insurgents had destroyed many of their houses, adding that he called the army and police commanders immediately he received reports of the invasion.
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“The army could not immediately access the Belegete community because of its very difficult topography. It takes over six hours from Obudu Mountain Resort to get there by descending the mountains into the deep.
“It is not motorable in any way. Okada riders charge N35,000 to travel there. So, it was very difficult for our men to descend to the place to rescue our people.
“But reliable sources confirmed to me this morning that the insurgents have abandoned the community. But they burnt some houses before they fled,” he said.
He appealed for government presence in the Belegete community to curb incessant invasions by armed insurgents from Cameroon, adding that the Belegete people are cut off from the rest of Nigeria.
He said the community lacked the necessary public amenities.
The spokesperson of the Cross River Police Command, Irene Ugbo, said she could not confirm the development.
