Akakan Umoh
Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community has raised alarm over the looming threat to life and property in the state as a result of infiltration into the land by deadly terrorists masquerading as investors and job seekers.
The coalition working under the aegis of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) said the ‘‘The state of insecurity in Akwa Ibom State is becoming a serious threat, and fear pervades the land.’’
A statement signed by Clifford Thomas, the Convener and Dr. Victor David, the Director of Publicity on Wednesday, April 30 noted that ‘‘Akwa Ibom State is attractive to every shade of persons, who come from across the country, and even, non-Nigerians. Some of them pretend to be investors, job and Greener Pasture seekers.
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The body attributed the activities of the terrorists in the state to the recent empowering of IPOB and ESN in Abia State to chase away terrorists and criminal elements, thus making Akwa Ibom State, a haven and destination for fleeing terrorists.
The coalition pointed out that ‘‘most of such persons have the intention of becoming land-grabbers, criminals (masquerading as scavengers and herdsmen – which has been out-lawed by Laws passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly).
‘‘Some of them are into piracy and migrant fishing; some have settled in our islands, and claimed the land now belongs to them, amidst shoreline recession. Some claim to be foreign hunters in indigenous farmlands and forest, some are now into commercial transportation.’’
According to Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, ‘‘We cannot keep pretending. The surreptitious invasion of Akwa Ibom State under various guises, have continued unabated under the watch of this government and previous governments in the State.
‘‘This continued pretense is not only hypocritical, but is manifest show of lack of commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and other statutes and Treaties that seeks to protect the indigenous people of the State.’’
The group said ‘‘It is axiomatic to state that ethno-religious and militia men are occupying territories in the state, from where we suspect, they shall launch out surprised and coordinated attacks, and the people are not prepared to defend themselves in any way.
‘‘They come as scavengers who are found in the remotest part of the state, including islands. The people are a peaceful, law-abiding and graciously entertainment-conscious people.’’
‘‘The Nigerian Police; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, and Navy, all have their presence in the state; there is also the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps – whose personnel were involved in murderous acts in the Atan Offot community); and some other uniformed and voluntary organizations.
‘‘It is admitted and acknowledged that, they have tried their best in securing the state. But, this Governor does not control any of these; rather, the government spends huge sums of monies, funding them.’’
Those grabbing lands in Akwa Ibom are doing it with so much impunity and hurry; to meet up with the time appointed for certain heinous and nefarious actions, waiting to explode in our faces.
‘‘The texture of the unaddressed fear, worry and problems include amongst others: Occupation of farmlands and forests; Destruction of crops and farmlands; Raping of women and defilement of under-aged girls; Kidnapping; Organ harvesting; Promotion of ethnic militiamen or tribal war-mongering; Non-Nigerians pretending to be working on menial jobs;
To abate impending doom, the group called for identification of cow owners, and compelling them to ranch their cows and livestock; hunters from other states should vacate the state until security returns to normalcy; Paramount Rulers and Traditional fathers should be held responsible for any security infraction in their areas of authority; and Non-indigenes occupying forests and farmlands in the state, should be made to vacate them, immediately.
‘‘Clear and remove all Chadians, Sudanese, Fulanis and foreign nationals who attack persons in the name of begging in the State. They are mostly seen at the city centers like Plaza in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and elsewhere in the state; Chairmen of Local Councils found inciting violence in their areas in the state, should be investigated, arrested, prosecuted, and removed from their offices; recent happenings in Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas; both Chairmen and Paramount Rulers should be held accountable for the killings; and the critical stakeholders should be engaged, including the Ministry of Internal Security; Village Youth Presidents and leaders; Women groups; Civil Society Organizations; traditional fathers; Commissioner of Police; religious leaders; the Press; the Director of the DSS in Akwa Ibom; the Commissioner of Information; Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; the Nigerian Army, and others,’’ the statement opined.
