We are saddened and stunned to say the least by the reprehensible and dishonorable act of urban psychosis of the Nigerian Army yesterday being 27th May, 2017 at Murtala Mohammed Highway Calabar by Transcorp Hotel who were dispatched to maintain tranquility and order— but rather opened fire at the protesting students that were panned by the scorching sun in U. J. Esuene stadium without food or water during the Children’s Day programme.
We gathered authoritatively from various sources that the students were protesting over the alleged absconding of the money promised them by the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Asu Okang.
Three students were reported to have been shot with various degrees of injuries by the security operative. These are harmless citizens and students for goodness sake!
Having observed and assessed the issue critically, we hereby condemn in its totality this brutish and reckless act of Hobbessian radicalism by government’s agent and state security.
We wonder if the students don’t have the right to protest peacefully and gather to demand for what was promised them again. If this government cannot fulfill common monetary promise made on Children’s Day to students, how can they possibly fulfill their electoral promises?
This government has embarrassed the youths of Cross River State and Nigerian students on the whole. The youths and students in the state must deliberately get rid of this quintessential hoax-laced government by voting them out in the forthcoming local government elections and in the 2019 general elections.
We call on the government to institute a judicial panel of inquiry to enquire into the ugly incident and bring to book anyone found culpable.
God bless our youths. Great Nigerian students!
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko.
Cross River State Secretary of Young Democratic Party, YDP.
