Cross River: Two Men Machete Each Other to Death in Fight Over Plantain Bunch

Two middle-aged men have died after attacking each other with machetes during a dispute over a bunch of plantain in Akpap-Okoyong community, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The incident occurred over the weekend when an argument between the men, identified as Edet and Effiong, escalated into violence. A resident of the community, Ettenma, who witnessed the aftermath, said the fight started after Effiong discovered that a bunch of plantain had been cut from his farm.

According to the eyewitness, Effiong was later told that Edet had been seen carrying a bunch of plantain from the direction of the farm. Acting on this information, Effiong reportedly went to Edet’s residence armed with a machete to confront him.

An argument ensued, during which Effiong allegedly struck Edet with the machete. Edet reportedly retaliated by picking up a machete nearby and attacking Effiong. Before residents could intervene, both men had sustained severe cuts.

“They injured each other before anyone could stop the fight,” the source said.

The two men were rushed to the Akpap-Okoyong health centre for treatment. However, sources said the facility lacked the equipment and medical supplies needed to manage the severity of the injuries.

“They lost a lot of blood and could not receive adequate medical attention,” the eyewitness said, adding that both men later died from excessive blood loss.

The incident has plunged the community into mourning.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Akata, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the clash. He noted that the police were also looking into why the confrontation was not stopped before it turned fatal.