Joseph Odok|27 June 2017
The crisis in Boki had gone beyond any civil step. Obviously the government of Cross River State mismanaged the crisis. Because of immature handling of issues by both the government of Cross River State and his political appointees, some agitators or militant groups have taken advantage of the crisis and have began causing serious looting of the people and disturbing the peace and security of the land.
No doubt, force is not a solution to the crisis, but were there is break down of law and order, the Nigerian military has a role to step up to fill the gap especially when the Nigerian Police can no longer handle the crisis situation. Recall that the militant group in Boki palm estate have become so lawless and have attacked the police station, ceased a police riffle, and freed some of their men allegedly arrested for possession of dangerous weapon by the police.
Besides there are instances of the militants attacking the police and shooting some of its men. The crisis have degenerated to a point that the military is needed to protect life and property. As a result of the crisis, one non combatant woman has been killed and scores of other people injured. However the need for military, there is need for the military to be cautioned against abuse and restrict their attacks only militants only on self defense. Attack on non combatants will not send good signal and may attack criticism and actions against the military for humanitarian abuses.
The presence of the military in a civilian society has its challenges no doubt, and force is never a solution to crisis; but the presence of the military should be a short term palliative while the government of Cross River State resolve the crisis through a broad spectrum of consultation with all stakeholders contributing to the Boki crisis. The accredited landlord, Chiefs and traditional rulers, politicians, youths, land Lord communities, government must be quickly brought to a round table for discussion that will evolve into a framework that will give lasting solution to the problem.
The Oku Community has been fingered as the village with highest number of militant network that is recruiting more militants from Ogep osokom and Bafin Etimtim. The crisis is largely fueled by Ayade's political appointees allegedly accused of being the sponsors of militant groups to protect vested interest in the estate. It is time the government of Cross River State should begin to arrest and investigate the sponsors of militant groups.
The militant groups are in possession of so many dangerous weapons and the government must use appropriate security apparatus to recover the dangerous weapons in the hands of some legitimate and illegitimate agitators turned militants. It is time some sponsors of Boki crisis, fingered to be sponsors of the militants to be arrested and prosecuted.
There is no need for the politicization of the Boki crisis, it is time to speak the truth. I can't understand the situation where crisis has degenerated to a point of beating a clan head of Oku community to stupor and ostracising him from a land he ought to be in custody of.
The larger interest is the resolution of the Boki Palm estate crisis and the eventual privatization of the estate. The Boki must unite, the government of Cross River State must suspend all pronouncement about the management of the estate until all issues are resolved.
Joseph Odok Esq., Ph.D
Social Change Agent
