Neither words nor police presence have stemmed the blood-flow nor stopped the destruction in feuding border communities across the country. But now, there is a new idea: drafting soldiers on motorcycles into difficult-reach border towns where conflicts are intractable.
Neighbouring communities on both sides of the Ebonyi and Cross River border have frequently been at loggerheads, resulting in deaths and extensive destruction of property.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai has commissioned the first set of combat motorcycles to help troops deployed for internal security duties at warring border communities in both states to effectively access all the nooks and cranny of the troubled areas with the aim of containing the clashes.
There has been a resurgence of boundary conflicts between Ukelle village in Cross River State and Izzi communities in Ebonyi which resulted in the disruption of economic and social activities as well as loss of life and property.
The nature of the terrain especially during the rainy season has made it difficult for security agencies to effectively patrol the areas.
To alleviate this problem and enhance operational effectiveness of troops in the areas, the COAS authorised the injection of combat motorbikes to enhance troops’ mobility and access to the difficult areas.
In a brief ceremony at Ipollo-Ntagom Security Outpost, the bikes were handed over to the soldiers by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Emmanuel Boman Kabuk who represented the COAS.
The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Eric Kelechi Igwe represented Governor Dave Umahi, while the commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Honourable John Ulafor represented Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade.
In their separate remarks at the event, both governors through their representatives, commended the COAS for the laudable initiative and commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security between the border areas of Cross River and Ebonyi states.
“Never in the history of our states have we seen such zeal and uncommon commitment to ensuring peace and security in our states like what the COAS has done, this gesture is complimentary to the efforts of Cross River and Ebonyi states and we thank General Buratai for that,” Dr Kelechi Igwe stated.
Others who graced the occasion include the Secretary to the State Government of Ebonyi State, Chairman, Izzi Local Government Area, traditional rulers and elders of the affected communities.
Igbeagu community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and their neighbouring Ukele, in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State have been at war over boundary matters with over 20 persons killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Governors Umahi and Ayade recently met in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis after various peace meetings held to usher in peace to the troubled communities failed.
Schools, hospitals, churches and markets have remained closed in the communities following the crisis while troops were deployed to the areas to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The motorcycles painted in Army colours with military plate numbers were procured by Buratai.
Speaking while inaugurating the motorcycles at Ipolo, the Chief of Army saff, explained that the motorcycles would enable the military personnel get to the hintherlands to foil attacks and maintain peace
He said the Nigerian Army has consistently intervened in the crisis, but appealed to the warring communities to embrace peace since development can only take place in atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The Army Chief sounded a note of warning to the people of the area to be peaceful warning that the Military will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found to be disturbing the peace.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, Gen Buratai alleged that troops posted to the two communities have been severally attacked in their peace keeping operations and warned against their further attacks.
He said: “On several occasions, troops have been attacked by members of these two communities for coming to keep the peace amongst them. You are the people that the soldiers have come here to protect; there is no reason why the soldiers should become your enemies. The soldiers do not belong to Cross River or Ebonyi State, they belong to the Nigerian Army.
“All they are here to do is to make sure that you live in peace. I want to urge you to see these soldiers and indeed other security agents within the communities as your brothers, as your friends. You should assist them so that they can achieve their missions among you and their mission is nothing other than keeping the peace.
“I want to quickly say that our soldiers will decisively and professionally protect themselves when attacked or ambushed by anyone because we didn’t send any soldier to come here to sacrifice his own life, it is for peace to reign. So, I want to state very clearly that you help the soldiers to keep the peace.
“I made it clear to my officers and soldiers the need for them to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their constitutional role. It is the driving force for all of us in the Nigerian army in achieving our set objectives wherever we find ourselves,” he said.
He disclosed that the military is currently on internal security operations in about 28 states in the country.
“The Nigeria army is currently employed for internal security operations in about 28 states of the country. In the North-East of Nigeria, troops of the Nigerian Army are battling the Boko Haram terrorist in that region. In the North-West and in the Middle-Belt, we have the Herdsmen and the cattle rustling menace that is also happening in those zones of the country. In the South-East, we have our troops deployed for internal security duties to keep peace.
“In Ebonyi and Cross River States, one of the challenges being faced by our troops is that of the communal clashes and the particular one that has brought us here is the conflict between the Izzi and the Ukele communities and this conflict dates back to April, 2005 and when this conflict came up, men of the Nigerian Army were deployed since that year to ensure that the communities live in peace.”
