Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
An Abuja-based human rights lawyer with Kanu Agabi Chambers, Barr. Ofem Ofem Obeten, has threatened to drag the Nigerian Army to court over what he described as inhuman treatment meted against Nko community of Cross River State, who are now at war with their neighboring Onyedama of Obubra Local Government Area of the state.
The lawyer is asking the Nigerian Army for a N500 billion for its invasion of Nko community and accused it of taking sides with their Onyedama neighbours, who they had been at war with over a stretch of land.
Ofem issued the threat while reacting to what he described as the raiding and invasion of Nko community, which left many in agony due to the crises.
The legal luminary advocated for a commission of inquiry to be set up by the state and Federal governments to unravel the mystery behind the raid of and siege on Nko community.
Wondering why Nko community is the only one being dealt with by soldiers rather than both warring communities, including Onyedama in Obubra Local Government Area, who are also involved in the civil unrest.
He stressed that it is so disheartening and regrettable that the persistent and unmitigated clash between Nko community in Yakurr Local Government Area and their Onyedama neighbours could lead to arms and for a dispute that could have been be amicably resolved by elders of the land.
He wondered why a crises which could have been amicably been resolved between two sister communities in the same state would resort to engagement of each other in a war.
The lawyer could jot fathom why the communities decided to get themselves engage in a war that has brought the economic activities of the area to a standstill, at a moment like this, when the entire nation is facing the most difficult economic situation in the nation’s history.
Ofem said, “In a time like this when issues of development and improved livelihood are at the core of governance, human beings are instead engaging in this kind of inhumanity, killing and maiming one another.
“This situation is so sad and ugly and has recently affected the people of Nko and their means of livelihood.
“I urged the military, Nko and Onyedama people to without any delay cease fire and sheath their swords.
“We urged that the military should terminate the siege on Nko and allow people who fled to the neighbouring communities and the forest to return to their homes to continue with their lives.
“What happened is like the military has taken side against Nko. Taking over of the disputed land is what state government ought to have done ever since before allowing the matter to escalate.
“All men of good will must come together to condemn this show of bestiality.”
While threatening to slam a N500 billion compensation suit against damages caused by soldiers, the human rights lawyer accused the soldiers of raping girls and women in Nko community without doing same to the neighbouring Onyedama community who are also engaged in the fued with Nko.
He added, “It’s like they have targeted Nko for genocide, as seen in the gory pictures.
“There is a human catastrophe in the offing, and it is going to tell on the economy of Cross River State. What happened now, is like same thing that happened in 1975, when same military invaded Ugep, headquarters of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
“We call on relevant stakeholders to make themselves available to a processes geared towards finding a lasting solution to the crises.”
Reacting to the incident, Army Public Relations Officer, PRO in Cross River State, Capt. Dorcas Aluko, stated that the army only went to the Nko community to protect lives and property and nothing else.
In his reaction to the allegations, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu, while refutting the allegations that the army had raided and laid siege on Nko community, 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 five personnel who are critically wounded are currently under intensive medical care unit.”
