SEMA confirms 15 persons wounded, 130 displaced in Yala communal crisis
FeaturedNigeria January 28, 2016 Dianabasi Effiong
Inaku
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
No fewer than 15 persons sustained bullet wounds, while 11 residential buildings were burnt following an invasion of Oyoba village, Wanikade, Ukele North in Yala Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) the crisis was perpetrated by the people of a neighbouring community, Ihetazi in Wanihem, Ukele North.
The statement signed by a Deputy Director at SEMA, Mr David Akate, stated that the invasion resulted from a boundary dispute, displaced more than 130 people including women and children.
According to the statement massive destruction of food stuff including yams, rice, garri, economic trees, household property, sewing machines, electronics, as well as motorcycles and bicycle were recorded.
It stated: “Also destroyed were sources of water, streams and wells. They were poisoned with chemicals, debris and rocks. The 130 displaced people are now squatting with relatives and friends in neighbouring villages.”
Akate said the situation was brought under control following the intervention of security forces.
He said some men were seen searching the rubbles and ashes of their burnt houses for valuables that may have survived the inferno.
Chief Christopher Okoko of Oyoba, said his property was also destroyed by the invaders. He said that the attackers struck on Jan. 23 at about three o’clock in the afternoon, when most of the villagers were in the community market about a kilometre away.
According to him, those who dared to challenge them were shot and wounded while the elderly, children and women were chased away from the village. He said 15 persons that sustained bullet wounds were being treated in health facilities in the area. Okoko described the attack as senseless and barbaric, stating that the invaders have lived for ages as brothers and have inter-married.
His neighbour, Chief Benedict Okoko, who corroborated the statement, said the action was capable of destroying the existing cordiality between the two communities.
A youth leader, Mr. Mathias Egede, who described the invasion as an act of war, urged security agents to bring the culprits to book. He stated that the destruction of homes, yam barns and seed silos in an agrarian community showed an intention to wipe out the community.
Another resident Mrs Helen Idah, who spoke from where she was taking refuge with her children and relatives, said she feared for the lives of those married in the two communities. Her neighbour Mrs Helen John urged the leaders of the warring communities to resolve the matter amicably to restore peace and guarantee economic and social progress.
The statement said the Director-General of SEMA, Mr. John Inaku, had assessed the damage. Inaku described the destruction as massive and condemned the action of perpetrators. The SEMA boss, who sued for peace, expressed concern over the state of the internally displaced persons and assured of government’s intervention.
Dianabasi Effiong
