According to a report by Daily Post, Communities along the Cross River State border with Cameroon are crying out for help as they struggle to cope with the influx of refugees and encroachment on their farmlands.
The refugees, who are fleeing the ongoing conflict in Cameroon, have been pouring into the state, putting a strain on the resources of the host communities.
"We are facing a huge challenge here. Our farms are being encroached upon, and our people are being displaced.
We can't even go to our farms again because the refugees have taken over," said Chief Okon Etim, the Village Head of Nsan Town.
The refugees, mostly from the Bakassi Peninsula, have been arriving in their thousands, seeking safety and shelter.
While the host communities have been accommodating, they are now feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of arrivals.
"We are not against helping our brothers and sisters in need, but we can't do it alone. The government needs to come to our aid and provide support for the refugees and our communities," said Etim.
The encroachment on farmlands has also raised concerns about food security in the state. "If our farmers can't go to their farms, how will we feed our people? The government needs to act fast to address this situation," said a local farmer, who preferred anonymity.
The Cross River State Government has been called upon to provide assistance to the host communities and ensure that the refugees are settled in a way that does not harm the local population.