By Godwin Ajom
Following an alleged attack by Armed Cameroonian Ambazonia Freedom Fighters in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State and its environs, the State House of Assembly as a matter of urgent public importance has expressed concern.
The Assembly urged the state government to grease up the Nigerian Police Force, to increase manpower in the Area Command of old Netim and the two police divisions in Uyanga and Akamkpa towns.
The lawmakers also called for the provision of operational vehicles as well as arms and ammunition for the area, emphasizing that the measures are critical to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens in Akamkpa.
In the past two weeks, there have been reports of gang clashes and alleged increase in the activities of Ambazonia Freedom Fighters in the area and its environs which resulted in the death of four persons.
Member representing Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, Hon. Okon Owuna, at the floor of the House on Thursday raised concerns that the activities of the Ambazonia Freedom Fighters have led to an increase in the acquisition of illegal arms by gang groups in Akamkpa, adding that expatriate quarry workers amongst other business operators have taken to their heels for fear of been killed.
“Akamkpa LGA is an industrial area with multiple quarries and industries, it provides over 60% of the State’s IGR. In the past two weeks, there have been cult clashes and an increase in the activities of Ambazonia Freedom Fighters in Akamkpa urban resulting in the death of about four persons.” Owuna explained.
The member representing Obanliku State Constituency Hon. Ashakia Pius Ashas shared same sentiment that the menace of the Ambazonians is not peculiar to Akamkpa only but in most border communities across some other LGAs. Citing an instance where the armed welding men attacked the Belegete Community in his (Obanliku State Constituency) and murdered one of the chiefs of the community.
Lawmakers in their divergent positions noted that the Ambazonia agitators are deadly, adding that security agencies should be deployed to the area to dislodge them. They also lamented the state’s porous borders, which is a free highway that gives free access to migrants from neighboring countries.
In his remark the Speaker of the Cross River 10th Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem condemned the incident while urging security agencies to urgently intervene to prevent further loss of lives and property.