….. residents flee community.
By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Armed hoodlums claimed to be youths from Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last weekend invaded Ibeno community known Atia village aka New Barracks, and killed one person, burnt houses while scores were critically injured.
The hoodlums severed the head of their victim, one Mr Monday Okon from Odio village in Eket, leaving his headless body behind.and taking away some captives according to eye witness report gathered by our Correspondent
Addressing our reporter who visited the community for an on the spot assessment, Mrs Ekaette Okon said the Invaders decided to kill Mr Monday Okon an indigene of Eket for working as an informant for Ibeno people, a story collaborated by one of the sons of the late victim.
Speaking further the eye witness revealed some hoodlums stormed the community Atia village aka New Barracks on Saturday at about 2 p.m and warned that no Christmas activity should take place without their consent.
They came back again around midnight, fully armed and started burning down houses. They killed one Mr Monday Okon from Odio village in Eket and cut off his head for working against their interest. They accused him of working and supporting Ibeno people “.
She revealed that residents of New Barracks and Ndito Eka Iba wanted to celebrate Christmas with a display of cultural dances and some other activities on Sunday 22nd December and that the attackers had openly warned in the afternoon that such celebration can only take place with their consent claiming that the two communities belong to Eket Local Government Area of Akwa ibom state.
It could be recalled that about a month ago, the Inua Eyet Ikot Community In Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom state was deserted after a mid night attack in which property worths millions of naira was destroyed by suspected hoodlums from their neighbouring Esit Eket council area.
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Conducting Journalists round the terribly damaged schools, clinics and people’s homes the emeritus village council chairman, Chief Nta Edyang then lamented that the damaged buildings, farms and other facilities were valued at over 100 million naira.
According to him, “The sole reason for the latest attack is not unconnected with ongoing petrochemical factory project which is being built in our community by BUA group. The hoodlums claimed our village is their land and even hosted a Flag after the destruction written” Ibeno beware, we won’t tolerate your conspiracy with state government to take our land”.
The paramount ruler of Ibeno Owong (Prof) Effiong Archianga traced the genesis of the serial attacks in Ibeno Communities to the enermous natural resources deposited by God in their domain.
According to the paramount ruler, ” 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 neighbors.
” 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 Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to Elders, council chairmen of our neighboring council areas to call their youths to order”.
The Paramount ruler appealed to the state government to intervene and bring succour to the destroyed community and others earlier burnt down to assuage their feelings and encourage the healing process”.
The youth leader from Ibeno who pleaded anonymity has called on the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to demonstrate his commitment to peace by ensuring that the mayhem visited on I Ibeno people by some known elements in Eket does not escalate into a full blown communal war.
The police in Akwa Ibom have confirmed the incident and has assured that the situation is under control while investigation has commenced with a view of arresting the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, residents of Atia village aka New Barracks, who survived the latest attack have been rendered homeless. Some of them seen by reporters at Mkpanak in Ibeno with their children and laugages walking endlessly looking for assistance and where to squat.
