Cross River ASSEMBLY CONDEMNS COMMUNAL CLASH,CALLS ON MILITARY TO STOP FURTHER ONSLAUGHT
By Itam Offor
The House of Assembly has condemned in totality the communal clash between Nko community in Yakurr, and Onyedama in Obubura Local Government Areas of the State.
The cross river assembly also unanimously called on the military to stop further destruction of lives and property in Nko community, which allegedly has left several houses burnt and seven people dead.
The House further called on the State Government to, as a matter of urgency send relieve materials to displaced victims who are taking refuge in the surrounding villages including Mkpani, Ekori and Ugep.
These resolutions were taken following a matter of urgent public interest sponsored by the Speaker of the Assembly and Member representing Yakurr II, RT Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams who lamented that the current war situation in Nko, a community under his constituency, is worrisome.
“I condemn in totality the communal war over land, we will all eventually die and leave the land. Also the activities of the military, up to this morning they were still burning houses, over 7 lives have been lost, even women and children are not spared. We appreciate the efforts of the military, but the ongoing destruction of the lives and property is condemnable”. Williams lamented.
The Speaker called on the leadership of the military to stop further destruction of lives and property in Nko community.
Also speaking, the Member representing Obubra II, which includes Onyedama community, Hon. Francis Ovat expressed dismay at the communal clash. He expressed hope that peace will return to the affected communities soon.
The Leader of the House, RT. Hon. Peter Odey, condemned the attack of the military personnel by the youth and sued for a peaceful resolution of the clash between the two warring communities.
Other Members, in separate contributions, decried the destruction of lives and property and the incessant communal clashes between the two communities They called on the paramount rulers as well as the local government chairmen to explore traditional methods of resolving conflicts.
The Deputy Speaker, RT. Hon. Joseph Bassey who presided over the sitting thanked the Lawmakers for their contributions. He expressed hope that peace will return to the area soon.
