Properties destroyed, valuables stolen
 
Fear has gripped the people of Ikot Obio Offong in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Council of Akwa Ibom State, following an alleged invasion of the community by their neighbours from Ikot Ekwere village, who allegedly attacked them over protracted land dispute.
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Speaking with newsmen yesterday at the palace of the Village Head of Ikot Obio Offong, a  family head,  Chief Sunday Etim Nyong,  said some youths  from Ikot Ekwere village,  numbering over 200 on  April  27 between  11:p.m and 12:00a.m., invaded the village, chanting war songs and releasing several gunshots.
     
Chief Nyong said the hoodlums were also chanting slogans of different cult groups such as “lion!”, “bargo”,  challenging the people of Ikot Obio Offong to come out for a fight .
     
He said the invading youths, suspected to have come from Ikot Ekwere village entered the village from the first house, broke window glasses, burnt down cars parked in the compound and razed one house completely.
    
He said: “They looted household items, such as television sets, stole money in many houses, rape women and burnt down one house completely while we escaped into the bush.

“They also burnt down one Toyota Camry car belonging to the son of the village head Christopher Ephraim and wounded many people in the compound. ”
    
Nyong noted that over 20 houses were burnt down, while domestic animals, money and other belongings were carted away. He explained that the people reported the matter at Ibesikpo Asutan police division.  Officers later came for inspection, but the hoodlums reinforced and returned for another attack in broad daylight the following day .
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The family head stated that police officers from the State Headquarters reinforced about five Hilux vehicles to rescue residents of Ikot Obio Offong.

“ This time property worth over N85m was destroyed and another house belonging to one Aniebiet Edet Eyo was razed down .
“ One of the suspects identified as Innocent Essien from Ikot Ekwere shot a police officer  in the rescue team during the exchange of  fire between the hoodlums and the police.

“ The suspect is now in Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre awaiting trial. I believe he must have mentioned members of their gang who are now at large,”  he added.
   
He accused the village head of Ikot Ekwere and former Head of Service in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Akpa Inyang of masterminding the attack as he was found at the police station, making an effort to bail one of the suspects now in prison.
 
The village head said while the matter was in the police, the paramount ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Council, Nsobom Nsidibe Ekong, issued native injunction (Ayei) to stop further hostilities.
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He said the peace deal failed as the people of Ikot Ekwere have issued fresh notice of attack against Ikot Obio Offong people.

“ As we speak now, they can strike anytime and kill people this time. We are not safe, “ he lamented. He urged the state government to call the village council of Ikot Ekwere to avoid impending bloodshed.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations for Akwaibom State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP), Odiko Mcdon, said the crisis in the affected communities is being investigated.

“ Investigation is ongoing to clamp down on those who escaped, while others arrested have been charged to court, “ he said.
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