The Mozu Cultural -Development Association, MCDA, an Ebira socio-cultural group, has called for the removal of army personnel who were drafted to restore peace in Kpanchee community in Bassa LGA of Kogi state.
The association accused the soldiers of executing ethnic agenda against the Ebira saying the soldiers have become easy tools in the hands of the LG administrator, Zakari Alumka and the House of Assembly member representing the area in the House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Shigaba in arresting, detaining and torturing to death many Ebiras while sparing their Bassa antagonists.
President of MODA, Abubakar Muhammed who spoke with newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday said that the soldiers were acting the script of the duo to perform ethnic cleansing on their tribe, “Subsequent upon the tribal crisis in Kpanchee community, the member representing Bassa in the state assembly, Sunday Shigaba and the LGA administrator, Zakari Alumka constitute a committee comprising of Bassa Komu, Bassa -Nge and one Hausa man leaving behind the Egbira speaking people who form a district out of the three districts of the local government. The purpose of the committee was to be moving along with the soldiers in order to lead them to wherever they want since they (soldiers) were not familiar with the terrain.
“Unfortunately, the committee members turn out to be giving out names of Egbira speaking people who probably have political problem with them. On this note, many Egbira speaking people were arrested, tortured by the soldiers which led to the death of one Idris Ahmed. The soldiers also chased one Adamu in Ikende community, forcefully broke into his house and went away with N490,000.
“In view of this we appeal to the governor of the state to consider removal of the soldiers in the LGA because they are arresting indiscriminately. We also call on President Muhammedu Buhari, national security adviser, minister of interior, chief of army staff, national assembly, national human rights commission, department of state security service to wade into the crisis with the view of forestalling further breakdown of law and order and douse the tension in the area.”
Reacting to the allegation, the LG administration, Zakari Alumka who kicked against the Egbira’s demands said the removal of the military from the community will bring reprisal attack and further escalate the tribal fracas between the Egbira and Bassa people.
Alumka accused the Egbira of not wanting peace, and accused the tribe of continuous boycott of the peace meeting initiated by the LGA after the crisis. He wondered why they are calling for the removal of the security personnel.
According to him, “So far, the 10 persons arrested by the soldiers over the crisis belong to both the Bassa Komu and the Egbiras. All arrested persons were found with AK 47, Pump action and other dangerous weapons. The soldiers has continue to find dead bodies that were killed and hidden in the bush. The other tribe has not raised objection to the arrest of their tribal person. Why must that it’s only Egbira’s that is complaining? He asked.
“If the soldiers are removed now, without a stakeholders meeting to proffer solution to the crisis, the fracas will return and escalate beyond measure in the community. The kind of arms and ammunition found in the community is alarming. We must allow the security men to do their job thoroughly”.
Also speaking, the member representing the community at the state assembly, Sunday Shigaba accused the Egbira of fueling the crisis and said rather than embrace peace dialogue they are chasing the wind by fighting on tribal grounds and pointing accusing fingers at the others.
“As a member representing the Bassa people I have the mandate to report to the House to institute a committee to look into the crisis which I did. If the Egbira said they will boycott the meeting (today) it shows that they are not for peace.
“If truly they (Egbira) desires peace they must come with clean hands and show it. They must allow both the peace committee and the assembly committee along with the military men who are acting on good information to carry out their duties.”
Credits: Richard Elesho | TheNews
