Akwa Ibom government cautions warring communities

The people of Itu local government council in Akwa Ibom state have been urged to eschew violence and leave in peace with their neighbours as such would attract development to the area.

This advice was given by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo while presenting relief materials to the people of Ayadehe, Oku Iboku, Mbiabo in Itu Local Government Council.

The deputy governor said that, the gesture was a demonstration of government concern and care for the people of the state in times of
distress, stressing that, the Federal Government through the National Boundary Commission has concluded arrangements to demarcate the area to ensure lasting peace among two neighbouring states.

“You are advised to live in peace with your neighbouring communities. Government will continue to protect the lives and property of all its citizens. The National Boundary Commission has concluded arrangements for final demarcation of the area, you are to give them support and cooperation for them to do their effectively,” he said.

He directed that, the relief materials be distributed to the victims in the four clans of Ayadehe, Itu, Mbiabo, and Oku Iboku, stressing that, only the victims of the border crisis should be the beneficiaries of the items.

Earlier, the paramount ruler of Itu council area, who received the relief materials on behalf of the affected communities, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, thanked the State Emergency Management Agency [SEMA] and the state government for responding to the plight of Itu people.

According to him, the communal clash has displaced a lot of people from their ancestral homes, who are now living as refugees in their own state, appealing for more assistance to the people as many of them have been deprived of sources of livelihood, adding that the people could no longer to farm or go to the river to do their fishing.

He assured that the relief materials would be distributed evenly to ensure it gets to the victims.

Items presented included, amongst others, 100 pieces of fishing net, 148 mattresses, 600 pieces of mosquito treated net, food items, toiletries and clothing.