One killed, retired Inspector injured in Akwa Ibom cult clash

One person was reportedly killed while a retired police Inspector sustained serious injuries in a cult clash between Debam and Iceland confraternities in Inen Ikot Ndoh community, Oruk Anam council of Akwa Ibom State, last Saturday.

The Guardian learnt that the victim identified as Udo Mma died on the spot while the ex-police officer identified as Josiah Okon, who relocated to the community from Port Harcourt after he was bedridden with a stroke, was said to been injured as he attempted to resolve the fight between the rival groups.

It was learnt that one of groups said to be on a revenge mission was not comfortable with Okon’s intervention and attacked him with machetes after invading his home.

An eyewitness, Udo Jim, said: “Okon begged the cultists for three weeks to stop killing m telling them that he could not run away from the area because of his health conditions.

“But the cultist injured him after they had killed one person. When the hoodlums hit the policeman’s compound, his family members ran away but the victim could not escape because he has a stroke. So they gave him several machete blows.”

He said the hoodlums also injured other people in the village currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Another eyewitness said the cultists then moved in a motorcycle convoy to the next village where they injured some people while others escaped into the bush and returned the following morning to pack their belongings to take refuge elsewhere.

In a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Mcdon, confirmed the incident, saying three people had been arrested.

Meanwhile, the representative of Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium, Akwa Ibom State, in the House of Representatives, Mr Onofiok Luke, has sought the input of lawmakers and council chairmen into the Petroleum Industry Bill 2020 and the controversial National Water Resources Bill 2020 before the National Assembly.

The water resources bill seeks to bring all water resources (surface and underground) and the banks of the water sources under the control of the Federal Government.

Critics say if the bill is passed into law it may endanger the unity of the country.

Addressing leaders of his constituency at the weekend, Luke said people at the grass-roots level deserved to be consulted before decisions are take at the national level.

The legislator said he had found himself in a difficult position on the water resources bill, hence he decided to consult the three councils making up his constituency.

“Personally I might not agree with the bill, but I need the collective input of the people of the constituency. I need the input of the legislators, I need the input of experts, water resources management professionals who can help give us their views on these issues,” Luke said.

Also, the Domestic Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (DROAN) has backed government’s decision to remove oil subsidy.

The National Chairman of the association, Mr. Godwin Sunday, said in Uyo at the weekend urged stakeholders in the oil industry and all Nigerians to support the policy and the establishment of modular refineries in the country.

Sunday said modular refineries in Niger Delta would enhance youth employment and end youth restiveness, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.