By Nfor Nkfu
Field reports from Nkor, a village in Nwa subdivision of Donga Mantung division of the crisis hit North West Region have confirmed that several houses have been reduced to ashes. The incident occurred on April 21st, multiple sources say.
"... military people came here and just started shooting. We all escaped into the bushes for safety. Houses were burnt. We are now homeless. My own house was burnt. I don't know what crime I committed to deserve this. Where do I start?” narrates a victim in tears
It is unclear as to why there was burning in the village. Confirmed reports have it that no militia state or non-state operate in Nkor. Separatist Ambazonia fighters at one point wanted to locate a base there but were chased away by villagers. Our source say.
No one has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's burnings.
The April 21st attack in Nkor constitute a grave violation of the 12th August 1949 Geneva Convention. Article 53 of part two of the convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war states that, "Any destruction by the occupying power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons or to state or other public authorities or to social or cooperative organisations is prohibited except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military Operations".
It should be noted that Villages in Nwa have lately been under constant attacks by suspected military men assisted by vigilant group members.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in her report number 28th published in March 2021 noted that more than 4,000 people from some villages in Nwa were forced to flee following repeated and targeted attacks.