Two feared killed, one abducted in fresh Akwa Ibom cult clash

• Uyo residents send distress call over erosion
Two persons have been feared killed, and another kidnapped in a renewed cult clash between Debam and Iceland confraternities at Inen Ikot Eteye and Ikot Inyang villages of Inen community in Oruk Anam Council of Akwa Ibom State.

It was gathered that the conflict, which occurred at about 7pm on Sunday, claimed one Ubong Okon Udo Ibanga, who operated a bar, opposite the primary school in the area.

An eyewitness, Nse Okon Udo, said the second victim, whom he concealed his identity, lived near the community square popularly known as Urua idung Okuwa. He was reportedly hacked to death and his body whisked away by the same killer squad.

The observer clarified that they both died on the spot after several gunshots directed at their skulls and bellies, adding that the assailants thereafter proceeded to the neighboring Ikot Inyang where a welder was abducted.

Another bystander, who pleaded anonymity, said the community had been gripped by panic owing to the incident.

Consequently, he added that the residents had sought refuge elsewhere.

“As I speak with you now, I ran away from my house since yesterday to hide in another village. When we heard the shootings, we knew that the boys were here again.

“Before we knew it, two young men were down. I packed few things like a pregnant woman carrying her emergency bag with my family and ran away to this place now. I don’t know when I would return home. Our village is not safe for everybody. The cultists always attack rival group members, but now they operate from house to house every night stealing, killing and kidnapping,” he explained.

He said since the killing of the chief security officer of the road construction company in the community last month, the settlement has remained insecure.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Nnudam Frederick, said the matter had not been reported.

He stated: “As a matter of fact, I had a meeting with all the divisional police officers (DPOs) from the 31 council areas of Akwa Ibom State this morning, but the DPO of Oruk Anam never briefed me on the incident.

“Thank you very much for the information. I will call the DPO now for details.”

In another development, residents of erosion-prone areas in Uyo and its environs have raised the alarm over the threat posed by gullies, which had already affected no fewer than 50 buildings.

The state government, appreciating the severity of the issue at hand, had directed the affected inhabitants to relocate to safer places.

Some of the residents, who spoke with The Guardian, faulted the government’s directive for allegedly not making an alternative arrangement for them.