By Moma Sandrine
Two weeks after dozens of houses were razed down by supposed military officers; victims are yet to receive any form of compensation from the state.
On May 17th, the governor of the North West Region, Adolph Lele Lafrique created a commission to evaluate the damages carried out in Muwachu, Alachu and Matasm in Mankon on May 15. It was expected that one week after, members of this commission will begin with the evaluation process in these areas. However some of the victims of the arson have denied seeing anyone coming to carry out an evaluation. “I haven’t seen anyone coming here to evaluate the damages. We only heard they will come, we are yet to see”, one of the victims told The SUN.
Life has not been easy for some of these victims who had their properties destroyed “I am a driver. Ever since my house was burnt down, I only go about begging for where to sleep. I don’t know what the government thinks they will do with all such atrocities. As I am talking to you now, I don’t know where to go now. I don’t even know the where-about of some of my family members, since they fled for their lives on that fateful day. I wasn’t able to get a pin from the house”, another explained.
The trauma was even more evident in the case of a woman who did not only loss her property, but she also lost her husband in the process of the arson as she explained “That day I went to the farm. While there I heard gunshots. At about 4pm, I received a call from my elder sister saying that I shouldn’t return home because the whole quarter had been burnt down. She told me to call my husband which I did but his number was not going through. Again I was told not to go home. I wondered why, saying even if my house had been burnt down, why should I not go back home? We still stayed in hiding before a lady came with the sad news that my husband had been shot. I then left for my house running and in tears. Upon arriving, I saw the lifeless body of my husband next to our house. He was shot severally on his leg and head. My husband was killed leaving me behind with five kids. I don’t even know where I will start from. I am only a poor farmer and the load is heavy for me alone to carry”, Madam Damaris narrated in tears.
Alachu quarter has been almost completely deserted since this tragic incident. A one-time busy street is now inhabited by only a courageous few. Very few businesses are operational in this part of town.
As time goes on, it is not only hoped for these victims to receive compensation but for a lasting solution to be brought to the crisis. However, what compensation can equate the lives of the two military officers who were shot dead on May 15 provoking the arson in Mankon, and the many others who have been killed as a result of the ongoing crisis?