Monday, November 18, 2024 -There is tension and pandamonium in Inua Eyet Ikot Community in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following a Saturday midnight attack on the community by suspected armed militia from neighbouring Esit Eket.
According to Punch, several public schools and clinics including
people’s homes estimated at several millions of naira were destroyed in the
midnight attack.
Conducting journalists round the affected areas on Sunday, the village
council chairman, Nta Edyang, expressed regret over the incident, adding that
facilities damaged were more than one N100m
He said, “A couple of days ago, we were woken up to the invasion from
our Esit Eket neighbours at midnight with massive attacks on our farms, clinic,
schools and people’s homes which were all brought down.
“The invaders came at midnight well armed and people fled to the bushes,
from where they heard them using sledge hammers and other destructive equipment
to destroy properties we laboured to build.
“The sole reason for the latest attack is not unconnected with the
ongoing petrochemical factory project which is being built in our community by
BUA Group. The hoodlums claimed our village is their land and even hoisted a
flag after the destruction, written, “Ibeno, beware, we won’t tolerate your
conspiracy with state government to take our land.”
He said the matter was reported to the state police commissioner who
visited the area in the company of other security agencies and appealed to them
to remain calm while an investigation was ongoing.
The paramount ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, Owong Effiong
Archianga, who also spoke with journalists, traced the genesis of the serial
attacks on Ibeno communities to the enormous natural resources deposited by God
in their domain.
He said, “Ibeno is blessed with oil and gas, the entire state is
enjoying our wealth. We need peace to coexist and will not tolerate further
aggression from our neighbours.
“All the areas, they are laying claims to belong to us. If the attack
persists, we will defend ourselves. We are warriors and Obollo people. I have
appealed to the Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to the elders and
the council chairmen of our neighbouring LGA to caution their youths.”
The paramount ruler appealed to the state government to intervene and
bring succour to the destroyed communities and others earlier burnt down to
assuage their feelings and encourage the healing process.
“The government should replace the damaged property and help the
displaced people recover from the shock of the atrocities. The government must
not allow the repeat of what happened, more security should be deployed to
Ibeno communities to protect lives and property while the hoodlums must be
apprehended to face the full weight of the law”.
In his remarks, the village head of the Mkpanah community, Dennis Bassey Esenem, expressed the hope that the crisis would be permanently resolved with the determination of both council chairmen to restore peace to the area
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