14,000 displaced, hundreds killed in C’River communal clashes

The Senate, on Wednesday, said over one hundred deaths have been recorded in at least ten communities in the Northern part of Cross River State.

The upper chamber also said over one thousand houses have been razed down in the inter-communal clashes, while several other persons have sustained various degrees of injuries.

Similarly, it said 14,000 people have been displaced in the affected communities who are currently in several locations in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State and within the peaceful parts of Ukelle in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

These revelations were contained in a motion sponsored by Senator Rose Oko, who represents Cross River North Senatorial District in the upper chamber.

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Although Senator Oko acknowledged the presence of military and police who are currently stationed in the concerned communities to maintain peace, the Senate has however mandated security agencies to increase their presence until the situation is contained and lasting peace restored.

The Senate committee on States and Local Governments have been mandated to investigate the claims and report back within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Senate has mandated the Federal Government to urgently intervene and immediately put in place, extraordinary measures to ensure the full restoration of the peace and tranquility of the University of Maiduguri, including the immediate perimeter fencing of the school and the deployment of critical security systems to ensure full surveillance and detection of security breaches.

The position of the Senate, followed a motion sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, tagged, “Urgent need to avoid the imminent disruption of full academic activities and closure of the University of Maiduguri due to rising insecurity occasioned by the spate of suicide bomb attacks.”

 

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