House of Reps wade into Cross River/Akwa Ibom communal clashes

House of Reps wade into Cross River/Akwa Ibom communal clashes

- The House of Representatives have waded into the Cross River/Akwa Ibom communal clashes

- The matter was brought to the attention of the house by Honourable Okon Archibong

- 37 people were killed on Thursday, January 12 according to Archibong

A House of Representatives member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Honourable Okon Archibong has said 37 people were killed on Thursday, January 12 in the Cross River/Akwa Ibom communal clashes.

House of Reps wade into Cross River/Akwa Ibom communal clashes
File photo of the House of Reps sitting

Archibong made the comment when he moved a motion in the lower house on the urgent need for the intervention of the federal government in the recent killings in the area.

READ ALSO: Pregnant woman's decomposing body found in Delta state

Archibong lamented the maiming and wanton destruction of properties in Oku Iboku at Itu local government of Akwa Ibom state by unknown assailants from Ikot Offiong in Cross River state.

He revealed that there has been crisis between Ibibio ethnic group in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom and the Efiks in Odukpani LGA of Cross River state since the 70s and 80s, adding that the communal clashes have became rampant in the 90s.

He expressed concern that if the situation is not controlled, reprisals may occur & this will lead to further breakdown of law and order in the area.

Honourable Adeyinka Ajayi representing Ife Federal Constituency, while supporting the motion, expressed grave concern about such conflicts occurring literally all over the country.

"We need to grab the bull by the horn and properly dimension this problem," he said.

READ ALSO: Tsaragi Vs Share War: Churches Burnt, 4 Killed, Many Injured

The motion was been adopted and resolutions are as follows;

1. Call on the federal government to beef up security in and around Oku Iboku, Ikot Adakpan, Mben Inyang, Ayadehe, Mbiabo, head bridge and their environs to forestall further attacks on the communities.

2. Urge the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the affected communities as there are now thousands of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs)

3. Mandate the committee on IDPs, refugees & initiatives on the North-east to ensure resettlement of the IDPs in the affected communities.

4. That the Committee on national security and intelligence investigate the remote causes of the attacks and report to the House within 4 weeks.

Source: Legit.ng

Online view pixel