Ayade dethrones traditional rulers, demands release of missing soldiers
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has urged the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to uphold the principles of law with courage and impartiality.
The APC national leader, in a congratulatory statement issued yesterday by his media office, tasked Justice Ariwoola to bring
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has ordered the Nko community to produce six soldiers suspected to have been killed or missing.
The Nko youths had allegedly shot and critically wounded an army commander sent to quell the communal clash between them and the Onyadama community of Abi Local Government Area over the weekend.
Ayade, in a statement by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Linus Obogo, also ordered the dethronement and decertification of the two community heads, Obol Lopon of Nko, Obol Etim Ayomobi, and the clan head of Oyadama, Ovarr Vincent Erena, with immediate effect.
The state Security Council comprising all service commanders - presided over by Ayade had been meeting since Monday morning over the killings and violence which had claimed lives of civilians and soldiers.
The Nko youths allegedly shot
“unto the apex judicial position the competence and integrity that have hallmarked his career.”
Tinubu, who noted that the appointment was deserved, added that Ariwoola had held important appointments over the years during which he demonstrated excellence.
He also wished the former CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, who resigned on Monday on health grounds, quick recovery. an army commander alongside six other soldiers Saturday evening, accusing them of taking side with their opponents.
The soldiers reportedly called for reinforcement from Edor Barracks in Ikom, leading to killings and burning of houses.
Although the youths have accused soldiers of going from house to house killing residents, the governor ordered the army to sustain its operation in Nko community until those behind the shooting of the six soldiers were produced.
The government also ordered the forfeiture of the land in dispute for greater public interest.
But a former Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, who hails from Ugep, a neighbouring community, has called on the army authorities to withdraw and stop wreaking havoc on Nko.
Also, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, who is an indigene of Nko, said he would continue to make efforts to restore peace.