Secondary School children in the troubled Nko community of Yakurr LGA of Cross River State have decried the communal clash in the region which has prevented them from taking part in the ongoing NECO and other examinations in the state.
Schools in the area have remained shut following the violence, preventing the children from being available to participate in the examinations.
Recall that the Nigerian army had entered the warring communities in a bid to restore peace as well as manage the communal clash between Nko and Onyedama community in Yakurr and Obubra LGAs following the crisis between the two communities which erupted over a parcel of land which has now been taken over by Cross River state government.
Dr Akpama Mbang Akpama, a former commissioner, Federal Character Commission in company of Former Minister of Niger Delta, Pst Usani Usani said Nigerian Army modus operandi was unethical and unprofessional and their Continuous stay was inimical to their people.
“While we support every responsible and meaningful efforts towards maintaining lasting peace in the area, we call on the State government and the military authority to stop the raid in Nko community.
“The security situation in Nko community has remained tensed and fragile. For more than five days running, many people have been killed through shooting at sight and a lot more wounded, properties that cannot be quantified at the moment have been destroyed.
“The security situation in Nko community has remained tensed and fragile. For more than five days running, many people have been killed through shooting at sight and a lot more wounded, properties that cannot be quantified at the moment have been destroyed.
“Women and children have abdicated their homes to take refuge in unknown locations, suffering the harsh effects of the associated weather with the rainy season.
“The four secondary schools in Nko community are involved in ongoing NECO examination nationwide, the students as we speak, cannot go to school nor write the examinations.
“This is appalling and would definitely have effect on our growing youths. Our children generally have been denied their right to education as they cannot continue their learning in an unsafe environment,” he stated .
Speaking further, Akpama denied allegations that an army captain was killed and six others missing in Nko.
Meanwhile, the community has welcomed the decision of the State government to take over over parcel of land in dispute.
They however appealed that the government should take adequate possession of the said land by using the land effectively so that further crisis may not arise.
Recall that governor Ayade had on Tuesday dethroned and de-certificated the clan heads and chiefs of the two communities as a way of restoring peace in the area.
When contacted, Director Army public Relations , Bridg Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said the troops were never unprofessional in any manner as they were legitimately deployed to restore peace in the warring Communities.
He said: “The troops did not conduct themselves unprofessionally. Troops were legitimately deployed to restore law and order in a communal clash between Oyadama and Nko communities.
“The troops were attacked and shot at with fire arms. The six personnel who are critically wounded are currently under intensive medical care unit., ” Nwachukwu said.
The Nko elders also called on international organisations, human rights activists, NGOs, the ministry of humanitarian affairs, NEMA, and SEMA to come to their aid.
