November 01, (THEWILL) – Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Bakassi Local Government Area, have protested the increasing rate of harassment by officers of the Nigerian Army.
The IDPs accused the army of frustrating their fishing activities through their ‘Operation Still Water’.
Operation Still Water is a military exercise launched by the army to help in enhancing security across the state.
The IDPs marched out in a peaceful protest, which began at Ikot Effiom Obutong re-settlement camp and ended at Ikang Bakassi fishing port.
Some of the allegations against the soldiers by the protesters include flogging of fishermen for being in possession of Petroleum Products, which the IDPs claimed is used to power their fishing boats.
Other allegations levelled against the military personnel in Ikang include extortion, unnecessary intimidation and harassment of internally displaced persons, who were predominantly fishermen.
General Secretary, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Bakassi re-settlement camp, Mr. Linus Asuquo Essien, spoke on behalf of the protesters.
He disclosed that they are going through economic hardship as a result of not being allowed by soldiers to buy petrol for their fishing boats.
“Our children can no longer go to school. On daily basis, our community residents who are predominantly fishermen have at regular intervals been arrested and locked up in the Cameroon republic prisons.
“Unfortunately non of our leaders in the house of parliament or in high place of authority had bothered to wade into the matter.
“We now go through hunger and starvation in the IDP camp due to our constant stay at home. Our major occupation is fishing, unfortunately, we have been barred by the soldiers from going to fish.
“We have over hundred fishermen who had been arrested by the Cameroon gerdams and locked up in their prisons just because they were engaged in fishing.
“This is why we are calling on the federal government, United Nations to come to our aid before we perish here.
“Cameroonians said we are strangers, In Nigeria, our soldiers accused us of engaging in bunkering. Where do we go from here?”
Secretary General, Ikang Clan Council, Chief Essien Eyo, wondered why a Community who are predominantly fishermen are barred from carrying out their lawful business.
The Public Relations Officer of the 13 Brigade, Capt. Dorcas Aluko when contacted said she cannot comment on the issue right away
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
