Stakeholders in the Nko community in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River on Wednesday alleged that the presence of troops denied their children the right to education.

A former commissioner, Federal Character Commission, Akpama Akpama, who spoke on behalf of the Nko community, said that the presence of the troops made it impossible for children to partake in the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.

“The four secondary schools in the Nko community are involved in the ongoing NECO examination nationwide. The students, as we speak, cannot go to school nor write the examinations,’’ he said.

The Nigerian Army deployed troops to the community to restore peace after a communal clash between the Nko and Onyedama communities over an expanse of land.

But Mr Akpama also told a news conference that the community disagreed with how the troops managed the crisis and cited their approach as unethical and unprofessional.

“For more than five days running, many people have been killed through shooting at sight and a lot more wounded; properties that cannot be quantified at the moment have been destroyed,’’ he said.

Mr Akpama also denied an allegation that an army captain was killed and six others missing in Nko.

Reacting to the allegations, army spokesperson, Onyeama Nwachukwu, denied any wrongdoing by its personnel in Nko.

“The troops were attacked and shot at with firearms. Five personnel who were critically wounded are currently under intensive medical care,’’ Mr Nwachukwu said.

Meanwhile, the community has welcomed the decision by the Cross River government to take over the parcel of land in dispute.

(NAN)