Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South, Honorable Geoffrey Kini, has urged all stakeholders to collaborate and promptly halt the violence in the Nkwanta traditional area.
He reported 11 fatalities within the initial 24 hours of the conflict that unfolded in the Nkwanta Township. The dispute, arising from disagreements over the observance of rituals linked to the annual Yam Festival, has led to numerous injuries and property damage, compelling numerous residents to evacuate.
Addressing the Parliament, the MP expressed concern about the repercussions on education, agriculture, and businesses, appealing for collective efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
“The usual vibrant and vociferous townships degenerated into ghost towns with 100s taking flight to near and distant towns and villages and others barricading themselves and families in the hopes to escape being killed…
“Mr Speaker, the threat of shortage of food, including basic staples such as maize, cassava, guinea corn, millet, rice, is imminent and starring us to the face. In this regard it is very important that all stakeholders to join hands immediately to bring a speedy end to this carnage and restore peace, order and stability to the people.”
Geoffrey Kini
He further commended the security service on its role in managing the situation thus far.
“Mr Speaker, let me commend the security agencies comprising of a combined team of police and soldiers for their swift response which helped to stop the carnage. But for their intervention, the fight would have reached a more catastrophic proportion and claim more precious life and destruction of colossal property.”
Geoffrey Kini
The insecurities has led to scores of roads being “attacked, vandalized, raised down and market spots louted and ransacked”.
Furthermore, Honorable Geoffrey informed the House that approximately 17,190 students and 750 teachers were forced to stay at home due to the violence. Government offices and state institutions have also been shut down. The primary occupation of the residents, farming, has been severely affected, with some individuals attacked and killed on their farms, resulting in numerous injuries.
Ministry Of Interior Assures Parliament Of Resolving The Matter
Meanwhile, the Minister for Interior has reported that several individuals have faced prosecution for violating the imposed curfew in the Nkwanta Township, emphasizing that the curfew remains in effect.
“Let me inform the house the curfew is being imposed and the number of people who have breached the curfew have been sent to court fined and convicted. But we are the first to admit that because the matter is a landmark, we cannot take this for granted. I want to assure the house that it is not just a police who are working on it, also national peace council has come in and we intend to increase the intervention.”
Geoffrey Kini
Moreover, the Minister assured that the recommendations put forth by Honorable Kini, urging the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to intervene, would be taken into account. He proposed the establishment of a committee by the House to address the situation, suggesting that the committee include a representative from the Lands Commission. The Minister strongly believed that such a committee would be instrumental in resolving the issues, given that the conflict is primarily rooted in disputes over land ownership.
Ambrose Derry highlighted that on November 29 and 30, the police command engaged in separate consultations with stakeholders, including key figures in the area, to foster consensus. He reiterated the commitment of his ministry to thoroughly investigate the matters and restore peace and order in the Nkwanta Traditional area.
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