Dr. Justin Beshel, the Cross River State Commissioner for Science and Technology, has expressed his sympathies to the families of the deceased as well as the residents of Obanliku Local Government Area, especially the Belegete indigenous people, for their deaths and attacks at the hands of purported Ambazonian bandits.
On December 6, 2023, gunmen invaded Belegete community in the Becheve Ward of Obanliku Local Government of Cross River State. They took about forty people, including the village chief, Chief Ogweshi Francis, and fled to an unidentified location.
In a conversation with newsmen in Calabar, Dr. Beshel expressed his sorrow over the event and joined other Obanliku sons and daughters in denouncing the heinous deed.
According to Beshel, he alerted the state security chiefs as soon as he learned of the tragic events. He is currently collaborating with a few important state and federal stakeholders and has promised government action to stop the unpleasant incident. He begged for a collective security measure to stop additional losses and guaranteed the Belegete residents of a prompt response.