Edet Ikotidem
A Group, Mboho Ikot Abasi has described as barbaric the recent attack on Akwa Ibom village, Ikot Akpan Udo, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, where many people have been left dead and destroyed property worth millions of Naira
The group allegedly fingers the indigenes of Eastern Obolo in the dastard act.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, the president general of the group, Otuekong Ufot Udoinyang said that the invasion on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, led to the killing of several people, and the destruction of property while many people were still missing.
Otuekong Udoinyang, a former local government chairman, recalled that the attack which first happened in 2008, was malicious while condemning and calling for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
“We are appalled by the unprovoked invasion, killings, malicious damage to property, vandalism, and displacement of the people of Ikot Akpan Udom village in Ukpum Ete Clan of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area by the people of Eastern Obolo which led to the killing of several people and many others missing.
“On the night of Tuesday, May 09, 2023, the people of Eastern Obolo LGA invaded Ikot Akpan Udo village in Ukpum Ete Clan of Ikot Abasi LGA; killed several people, vandalized and damaged property, while several people are still missing as an aftermath of the invasion.
“This attack was not only unprovoked but entirely unwarranted, malicious, and unnecessary, particularly by the fact it took place under the pretext of protesting against the mapping of the local government areas in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
Also read: Ekpri Nsukara Offot Community Gets New Village Head After Denying
Otuekong Udoinyang, however, said that the people of Ikot Abasi were not going to take laws into their hands by laughing a reprisal attack while hoping that the state government will intervene to stem further attacks by Eastern Obolo people against Ikot Abasi.
“Nevertheless, We are constrained to restrain ourselves from taking laws into our hands in defense to state authorities, with the hope that the Akwa Ibom State Government will rise to the occasion and stem further attack by the people of Eastern Obolo.
“As a matter of urgency, station adequate security personnel in Ikot Akpan Udo village and environs in order to stem the further invasion.
“Identity, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators and the agents of the wanton killings and destruction in Ikot Akpan Udo village to deter a recurrence,” he added.
Otuekong Udoinyang was accompanied by other members of the group and very renowned politicians from the Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has condemned in totality, the destruction of fruiting coconut plants cultivated by the state government for the coconut oil refinery in Mkpat Enin.
The governor was reacting to the clash by some erratic youths in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area who are said to have destroyed coconut plants in the plantation.
Speaking at Obot Akara LGA where he inaugurated the 16.71-kilometer Abak Ifia – Ikpe Mbak Eyop – Ikot Abia Osom – Nko Road, Governor Emmanuel said such a destructive act was anti-development and should be condemned.
According to the State’s Chief Executive, the coconut plantation and refinery employs a good number of Akwa Ibom people who now stand the risk of losing their means of livelihood as a result of the unwarranted destruction.
In addition to road infrastructure, Governor Emmanuel spoke of plans to inaugurate some projects in the power sector in the coming weeks and charged the people to do well to protect facilities cited by the government in their domains for the overall good of the people and the development of the state.
He pledged to continue to serve the Akwa Ibom people till the last day of his administration on 29th May.
