Today in plenary, I raised a Matter of Urgent Public Importance to the House about a boundary dispute between the people of Usaka Ukwu in Ikwuano Local Government Area and people from Ini Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.
At the moment over 28 lives have been lost and properties destroyed in Ariam Usaka communities due to attacks from the people of Nkari in Ini LGA . It is important to note that my people have remained law abiding and have not retaliated.
My prayers is that the House mandate security agencies in the State to act swiftly and decisively to stop the wanton killings of my people in the skirmish.
I also prayed that the House Committee on Land and Boundary Commission to fashion out ways of averting further loss of lives and property in the area.
After contributions from Members, the Speaker in an emotion laden voice said it’s very sad and pathetic that lives and property were being lost and destroyed between two sister States because of differences that could be resolved amicably. He went ahead to say that the State will no longer tolerate the gruesome murder of Abians in the name of any crisis.
“We want to call on the State Commissionier of Police, Director of State Security Services, State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other relevant agencies to step up their game in protecting the lives of Abians who are being massacred in their numbers with Ariam Usaka Ukwuwe having lost 28 people already without they at Ini Local Government Area losing any largely because of the peaceful disposition of those on Abia’s side of the divide.
“Tomorrow, if our people retaliate, it is ours that will make the most headlines. Now they are killing our people but nobody seems to be saying anything because we are generally known as peace loving people.
“It is only a tree that will stay in place in the midst of trouble and allow itself to be cut off; we will not advocate violence but we must defend ourselves.
“We are calling on the National Boundary Commission to, as a matter of urgency, if they have not yet been deployed, do the needful to bring this wanton deaths and destruction to an end. Our people must not be pushed to the wall to the extent that they have to defend themselves” the Speaker stated.
Dear Ndi Ariana Usaka, please do not despair, help is on the way. We must togeheter fashion out ways of providing lasting peace in the area. We are here to serve.
