Community calls for traditional rites alongside urgent government intervention as officials insist disaster is environmental, not spiritual

Residents of Obutong Community in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, have attributed the devastating landslide that has ravaged parts of their area to the anger of a traditional sea goddess, Anansa, calling for both spiritual and government intervention to halt the destruction.

The incident, which occurred after several days of heavy rainfall, has left a trail of destruction—flattening businesses, damaging homes, and disrupting economic activities. Fear has gripped residents as sections of the affected area continue to cave in daily, raising concerns about further losses.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Obutong Youth Leader, Emmanuel Okon, said many locals believe the disaster cannot be explained by natural causes alone. He noted that while engineering solutions are necessary, they must be complemented by traditional rites to appease the deity believed to be responsible.

“From our understanding and long-held traditions, the sea goddess Anansa must be appeased,” Okon said. “We are calling on our traditional leaders to urgently carry out the required cleansing rites, while the government steps in with technical support.”

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He also urged residents to reflect on actions that may have angered the deity, emphasizing the need for both spiritual and physical solutions to prevent further destruction.

Beyond the spiritual concerns, Okon appealed to the Federal Government and the Cross River State Government for immediate intervention, noting that the affected road is a critical federal route. He explained that several shipping containers and heavy-duty trucks are currently stranded along the damaged corridor, crippling movement and commercial activities in the area.

He called for the construction of a temporary access road to ease transportation challenges while permanent repairs are being planned and executed.

However, the Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Bassey Mensah, dismissed claims linking the disaster to spiritual causes, describing the landslide as a natural environmental occurrence that requires urgent technical attention.

According to Mensah, erosion control experts have already recommended redirecting floodwater from one drainage channel to another to reduce pressure on the weakened area and slow the progression of the landslide.

“This is a natural disaster triggered by environmental factors,” he said. “Our immediate priority is to manage the floodwater and prevent further damage while we work towards a long-term solution.”

Mensah acknowledged that permanent remediation would require significant funding but assured residents that interim measures would be implemented swiftly to stabilize the situation.

An engineer familiar with the development also pointed to poor infrastructure maintenance as a major contributing factor. He stressed that facilities located in erosion-prone areas require consistent monitoring and upkeep to prevent minor drainage issues from escalating into large-scale disasters.

The Obutong incident is one of several erosion-related crises recorded across Cross River State in recent weeks, following persistent rainfall. Authorities have warned that the expanding gully along the Anansa Road corridor now threatens critical infrastructure, including access to the Nigerian Navy Base and other federal installations.

The situation has intensified calls for urgent Federal Government intervention, as residents brace for what could become an even more severe environmental and humanitarian crisis if swift action is not taken.