Niger Delta Youth Parliament frown at Nko current crisis

Niger Delta Youth Parliament FROWNS AT THE UNLAWFUL INVASION OF NKO COMMUNITY IN CROSS RIVER STATE BY THE NIGERIAN ARMY.

~APPEALS TO GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES TO ACT FAST.

The attention of the Niger Delta Youth Parliament (NDYP) has been drawn to the unlawful invasion of Nko community in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria by the Nigerian Army. The soldiers who were drafted from nearby Edor barracks in Ikom, Cross River State to quell the communal war between Nko and Onyadama communities, on Saturday 25 June, 2022 have surprisingly and reportedly joined hands in fueling the crisis by razing down buildings including the palace of the Village Head of Nko – Obol Effiom Ayomobi, firing live bullets at villagers, alleging that their personnel was killed by Nko youths without any proof of their claims up till this moment.

The Niger Delta Youth Parliament representative whose federal constituency is directly affected Hon Confidence Mbiang also reported that the women of the community had on Sunday morning tied wrappers and green leaves staging a protest and calling for an end to the raid, and the release of their sons arrested by the army to no avail. Currently, every Nko man is in the bush and two have been shot and confirmed dead as at the time of this report; one of which is 37 year old Ebri Etta.

CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION SO FAR…

Cross River State Government has ordered the dethronement and de-certification of the Obol Lopon of Nko, Obol Etim Ayomobi, in Yakurr and the Clan Head of Oyadama, Ovarr Vincent Erena, in Obubra Local Government Areas with immediate effect. In a press release signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr Linus Obogo, the dethronement and de-certification of the two monarchs and all other traditional rulers in the two warring communities are as a result of the intractable communal clashes. Both Nko and Oyadama communities have been at war torn over a piece of land.

According to the release, the ownership of the disputed land has been revoked and taken over by the state government for overriding public interest. Additionally, government has ordered the sustenance of army operation in Nko community until those behind the shooting of the six military personnel are produced or fished out. In the meantime, indigenes of Nko Community have taken refuge in neighbouring communities (majorly Ugep, the Local Government Headquarters) as internally displaced persons and are being sheltered in very miserable and deplorable conditions especially in this harsh weather. If these people are not quickly returned to their community and other economic/humanitarian assistance given to them, may have another humanitarian crisis in our hands.

We therefore encourage the government of Cross River State led by H.E Ben Ayade and President Muhammadu Buhari to use their good offices to ameliorate this worrisome situation while remembering their oath of protecting lives and properties of Nigerians at all cost. The youths are also admonished to remain law abiding citizens of our great country Nigeria and not attack security agents sent to calm situations within their localities. The military must also sheath their swords and treat the civilians with a humane spirit as brethrens in this country. But the continued Invasion and occupation of Nko Community by the Nigerian Army must stop forthwith and the Internally Displaced People of Nko Community must as a matter of urgency be adequately returned to their ancestral home.