INCESSANT COMMUNAL CRISIS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF OBUBRA NATION AS WITNESS BETWEEN OFATURA AND OVONUM COMMUNITIES-RT HON. MIKE ETABA.

By: Beatrice Akpala.

 

The Honourable Member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, have expressed his regret with the lost of lives and wanton destruction of property worth several millions as occasioned by the recent communal crisis between the Ofatura and Ovonum Communities as uncalled for and lamented how the Obubra Nation has lost her glory due to the incessant mayhems.

 

In a meeting with the Chiefs, Community leaders and the Youths of Ofatura, Rt. Hon. Etaba, condemned in totality the renewed hostility with it’s senseless destruction of assets, farmlands with crops, arson and worse still, the lost of lives, that could have been avoided.

He noted that with the level of destruction of farmlands, hunger is staring the people in the face, as he compared the current crisis with the past ones and concluded that the wasn’t any departure from the previous clashes; as he vowed that all those involved must be fished out and brought to face the consequences of the evil actions.

As brother, misunderstandings are bound but it should not be allowed to get out of hand to display bestiality. We must have mechanism in place for conflicts resolution and wonder, where is our humanity and the religion we all professes?

Let me use this opportunity to appeal for your maximum support and cooperation with the Security Operatives on ground as they work tirelessly to restore peace and normalcy.

I want to thank H.E Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, for government quick response to have arrested on time the urgly situation that if allowed any further, will have been a disaster.

I think as a people we must appreciate all that the Governor has done for Obubra Nation, both in human capital and infrastructural development. Hence, we should not destroy the legacy of H.E in restoring normalcy in many warring Communities across the State.

We owe the Governor gratitude for his magnanimity in his political revolution to emancipate us and given us a sense of belonging and direction to champion our cause.

And as your representative, I would not fold my hands and allow disgruntled elements amongst us continue to terrorize the peace and tranquility of the larger society for their selfish motives.

Rt. Hon. Etaba, reminded the Stakeholders that, we have yet to fully settled the Adung problem amicably only for Obubra to witness yet another avoidable crisis. And this is unacceptable.

 

The Executive Chairman of Obubra Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Bassey Tom, equally appeal to the people of Ofatura and Ovonum Communities to sheath their swords and give peace a chance. Hence, development strives only when there’s peace.

 

Also in his own contribution, the political Leader of Obubra, Chief Alex Irek, said he’s interested in peace, hence, the panacea for development. I want all of us to seek the face of truth and justice as this is the only way out to stop unnecessary destructions.

According to Chief Irek, the Ofatura and Ovonum communities were in the recent past living in peace and wondered where relationship began to deteriorate between them. He disclosed that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that all perpetrators are apprehended and punished accordingly for shedding innocent blood and for the constant unrest in Obubra Nation.

The Commanding Officer of the 245 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Ikom, Colonel AA Adegboye, said that the innate ability of humans to manage crisis is inbuilt in everybody and noted sadly that the people have allowed sentiments to have a better hold on them.

Col. Adegbeye, appealed to the people of Ofatura/Ovonum to embrace peace and avoid anything that would cause the recurrence of such crisis, as there’s no alternative to peace. He blamed the youths as the major instigators and readily tools available to foment trouble.

He urge both political and traditional leaders to put their ass together to mentor the younger ones that are vulnerable and easily used.

 

In the same vein, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Michael Akan Nyiam, expressed disappointment with the Clan Heads over the crisis in which unnecessary destruction has been caused.

He expressed his dismay with the Chiefs and Clan Heads for playing politics with the welfare of the people and that is unacceptable and condemnable.

The DPO reiterated that the persistent crisis in Obubra is becoming embarrassing and unnecessary. And if not put in check, will degenerate into a monster that will outrightly destroy the entire Obubra Nation, if nothing is done and swiftly.

 

The Village Head of Ofatura, Chief Oyama Enang, summarized the recurring communal clashes as disheartening and promised to properly guide his subjects in order to avert war now and in the nearest future.

 

He noted that the people of Ofatura, without instigating any war, were the most terribly affected victims of the latest crises, asserting that the Ovonum people were responsible for what happened.

As he painfully noted that the people of Ofatura will require more than 30 years to recover from the destruction and called on government to intervene as a matter of urgency.

 

Barr. Sylvanus Odong, the Leader of Ofatura Community praised the setcurity Operatives for being able to bring the crisis to a halt, adding that with normalcy restored, the people can now sit down together and proffer solutions to their common problems.

He noted that all the people were in their farms when they were brutally waylaid and seriously attacked by the Ovonum people; adding that even with the extent of damage done in Ofatura, not even one house was destroyed in Ovonum.

He said that the Ofatura Community will abide with all the advices that may be proffered by any Peace and Reconciliatory Committee because we’re a peace loving Community.

He appealed that the people are in dire need of rehabilitation and food as even the most rudimentary trace of foodstuff is destroyed by the Ovonum people.

 

Chief Ernest Irek, a former member of the House of Representatives also spoke bitterly regarding the crisis and called on the Chairman of Obubra Local Government Council to as a matter of urgency, set up a 5 Man investigative Committee to ascertain the original perpetrators of the crisis and make adequate recommendations to Government for implementation.

 

Speaking on behalf of the youths, Mr. Coolest Sunday, remarked that the youths must desist from stirring up trouble because they are the main cause of any communal clashes as the elderly ones hardly foment trouble. He also lent his voice to the total disbandment forthwith of the Khaki Group.

 

The recent communal disagreements between Ofatura and Ovonum communities are believed to be as a result of land tussles and the commendable moves already initiated by the government of Cross River State in collaboration with Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, have proven to be effective and will result to lasting solutions to the crisis.