Over 100 feared dead as Communal Clashes Hit Communities

Akwa Ibom State communities have in the last couple of weeks experienced unusual turbulence, leading to loss of no fewer than 100 lives.

The cases of communal clashes began with land disputes between Enwang /Ukonteghe communities in Mbo LGA, Okopedi/ Amamong Communities in Okobo LGA, and, Ukuko /Umume communities in Urue Offong/Oruko LGA.

These clashes, which went unabated for not less than two months, claimed no fewer than 20 lives, leading many, including the Civil Liberty Organisations to suggest the need for government to take over every land under dispute in the state.

Just as the torrential rain of clashes in Oro nation reduced to drizzles, an inter-state boundary dispute rocked Ikpanya Clan, in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State as warriors of Ugbo community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State reportedly invaded the area. No fewer than seven people were said to have lost their lives during the initial attack..

Lamenting the plight of the people of Ikpanya, the clan head of the community, His Highness Chief Isaac Ononson said many were killed while some were missing. He described the attack as unfortunate.

According to the clan head;
“Ikpanya shares boundaries with eight villages of Arochukwu in Abia state, but, the perennial and incessant crisis is always with the one village, that is the Ugbo people. And, it has always been during every farming season.

“The people of Ugbo will attack our people as they go to farm. They will beat our women and chase them away, packing the palm fruits. These people have continued to trouble our people year in, year out, and then on the 8th of this month, when my people went to cut palm as I lifted ban on cutting of palm”. he said

Presenting the matter on the floor of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency, Hon Godwin Ekpo lamented the wanton killings, gang-raping and destruction in Ikpanya by neighbouring Ugbo village in Arochwkwu community of Abia State
Also, no fewer than eight persons, within the last couple of weeks have been killed in Okpoto and Nturi communities of Ini LGA, bordering Ikwanno, Atochukwu and Bende LGAs of Abia State over disputed land boundaries.

According to the Chairman, Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Isreal Idaisin, members of the border Abia communities now ambush the people of Ini and attack them on daily basis.

He has called on the Federal Government as well as government of the affected states to wade into the boundary crisis to forestall further loss of lives.

On the boundary between Akwa Ibom and Cross River the protracted crisis between the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA of Cross River and the Oku Iboku people of Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom States has become a recurring decimal as irate youths from Ikot Offiong would in a slightest provocation invade the former Community to kidnap, kill rape and leave the land almost desolate.

Sources from the Oku Iboku Community who are predominantly farmers reveals that their invaders always target the short harvest and farming seasons, when farmers go to their farms to harvest vegetable crops. They attack and hijack their farm produce. Fishermen are said to be the prime targets.

Scores of people, our source said were still missing even as some bodies have been recovered in slums from the latest attack which occurred few weeks back.

As though the intra/inter states boundary crisis had not created enough insecurity and tension in the state, the people of Essien Udim, Local Government Area of the Hon. Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen Godswill Akpabio have been sacked by men suspected to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Narrating recent ordeals that members of the community and security personnel deployed to the area have recently been through, an indigene who craved anonymity said;

“It started when an officer of the Nigeria Police on night duty killed at the Police Station, Nto Nsek, then two Police officers killed and burnt, vehicle set ablaze too at Ikpe Annang Junction. Officers of the Nigeria Customs were also attacked and vehicle set ablaze at Nsasak-Afaha.

” Essien Udim Police Station at NTO NSEK was set ablazed, then a Soldiers killed at Ikot Umoessien Army Base. again, an Assistant Superintendent of Police killed and burnt inside his house at Ikot Afanga, vehicle and motorcycle set ablaze. Ikot Akpan Village Head’s house set ablaze

“More than 15 soldiers and police officers were also killed at Uwa Junction, three Army Hilux vans set ablaze,too. Random shooting and killing, especially motorists and pregnant women along Ikot Ekpene–Aba road”. he recounted

The source said the identity of the attackers was revealed when IPOB flag was hoisted in Essien Udim after one of the major attacks.

The Police Public Relations Officer who had confirmed communal hostilities in Ikpanya Community of Ibiono Ibom, and the setting ablaze of a police state in Essien Udim, assured that steps were being taken to forstall the rising insecurity in border communities across the state.

“The police is aware and we are doing everything possible to bring the situation under control. The CP is working to see that the situation doesn’t escalate. The CP has directed that our men be deployed to the area; our men are on ground as we speak”. he said
Meanwhile the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council has condemned the spate of attacks on security personnel in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by the State Chairman of the Council, Comrade Amos Etuk and Secretary, Comrade Dominic Akpan, the Union described the attack as retrogressive, barbaric, senseless and alien to the peaceful disposition of Akwa Ibom State and called on the State Government not to relent in its high level collaboration with security agencies in order to put out the fire on time.

It could be recalled that Governor Udom Emmanuel, at the last State Executive Council Meeting, had sounded a note of warning to perpetrators of violent acts in communities across the state..The Governor had vowed to deal decisively with such culprits.