The Governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Otu has kick-started the process of resettling the Internally Displaced People (IDP) of Belegete, Obanliku local government area.
The border community of Belegete in Obanliku local government area of Cross River Northern Senatorial district was razed to the ground and people abducted by militia suspected to be Ambazzonian rebels from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon.
Sequel to the incident, Governor Otu directed the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Helen Isamoh-Egodo and her team to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of damages in Belegete with a view to immediately commence resettlement of the displaced families.
Although the survivors were delighted to receive the government’s representative in their community, the sight of the destruction and the homeless people, mostly women and children moved the commissioner to tears.
The displaced people narrated their ordeal to the commissioner, noting that the invasion occurred about 4 o’ clock in the early hours of December 5, 2023 as armed men entered the village shooting sporadically and burning down buildings.
According to the IDPs, “the militia kidnapped over 30 people in the village mostly women and men. They hoisted a flag in the village. It was an Ambazzonian flag, they claimed our village as their conquered territory. But, we ran for dear life and made our way to the nearest security post and reported.”
A displaced woman also informed the Governor’s representative of the level of abuse suffered at the hands of the Ambazzonian militia, saying amid tears, “these armed men do all sorts of things to us because it is easier for them to access our village than our security operatives. They destroyed our school and our children no longer go to school. Our situation is pathetic.”
“The way these fighters invade our community, we are really scared that they will drive us away from our ancestral lands and we will lose our home permanently. We need our government at the State and Federal to act fast. We cannot lose our land to militia groups from another country,” she said.
The IDPs, who are currently taking refuge at the Obudu Cattle Ranch, also appealed for Nigerian Army presence in the community, a functional health facility, food, clothing, water and hygiene products as well as other relief materials.
Relief materials
The Commissioner, Dr. Isamoh-Egodo promised that Senator Otu’s administration would take the necessary steps to ameliorate the difficulty they were experienced.
She also promised that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation would as a matter of urgency, provide succor immediate relief materials for their use.
Sympathizing with the people, Isamoh-Egodo said, “this is worse than we imagined. The violent attack that has led to the kidnapping of over 30 men and women is heartbreaking. As if that was not enough, they killed the clan head and plunge others into untold hardship.
“I must assure you of the Governor, Senator Bassey Otu’s heartfelt sympathy. He is really concerned about all of you as Cross River people, Nigerians, who have the right to enjoy democracy dividends like other Nigerians. I promise you that the governor will ensure you are protected. I will take back all I have seen and will return very soon with all you need. Governor Otu is the Chief Security Officer of this State, he is not going to allow another attack happen.”
“We are using this opportunity to call on other government agencies especially federal government agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ministry of Health, refugee and other humanitarian agencies to come and partner with us in the task of resettling our people, the Belegete community,” She added.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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