By EHIGIMETOR IGBAUGBA

The people of Ine-Utang Day Spring Peninsula in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River have decried alleged incessant harassments and assault meted on the community by sea pirates and militants.

Mr Happiness Asuquo, the community head, who spoke on a wide range of issues with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, appealed to government to come to their rescue.

Asuquo, who said that they were living in fear, said his people were always beaten up and their food stuffs, fuel and other items taken away each time the pirates and militants invaded the community.

This is what we suffer daily here. We are constantly attacked and our food items taken away while we are also beaten on top of it all.

“This people who also take money from us, have made our lives miserable.

“This is why we are calling on the government for protection; if they can’t do anything for us, they should at least ensure that our hard earned daily bread is not taken from us,” he appealed.

The community head also decried absence of government presence in Ine-Utang Day Spring Peninsula.

While noting that there was no school for their children to attend, Asuquo further said there was no health centre, electricity and clean water in the community.

“Our children do not attend any school since we cannot afford to send them far because of lack of money. We don’t farm; we survive only on fishing.

“We are just like community that are always used whenever elections come only to be forgotten thereafter.

“A former Senator, a woman well known to all, votes here in this country and nobody will believe that she is part of us,” he lamented.

A Naval officer who pleaded anonymity, said without the necessary logistics support, the community would continue to face the challenges. (NAN)

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