Many feared dead after clash in A’Ibom communities

Many people have been feared killed, while goods and properties have been destroyed, following a communal clash between Eket and Ibeno communities in Akwa Ibom State.

The clash was said to have been caused by a lingering land tussle.

The Guardian learnt that an unspecified number of people were also wounded or abducted during the incident.

It was learnt that the disagreement between the two communities started in 1993, and has claimed several lives, even as the parties have allegedly failed to give peace a chance.

When The Guardian visited Ibeno and Eket Local Councils, residents were seen relocating to neighbouring councils over fear of reprisals, especially at night.

A source claimed that the indigenes of Eket, on Monday night, at about 9:00 p.m., invaded Ibeno and unleashed mayhem as people slept. The source said many people were killed or abducted during the fracas.

But the son of Esit Urua village head in Eket Local Council, Prince Iboro Imose, claimed that the fight started when someone from Ibeno destroyed moulded blocks belonging to an Eket indigene. According to him, the crisis lingers because Ibeno people allegedly encroached into the land of Eket community, after Eket indigenes had reportedly helped by offering them land to stay.

Meanwhile, security operatives have been stationed at strategic positions in the area.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, directed enquiries to the command’s spokesperson, Macdon Odiko.

However, Odiko was yet to give an update on the situation at press time.