No fewer than two persons are reportedly killed at the resurgence of cult wars in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The protracted war, InsightnaijaTV reports, led to the sacking of the Udianga Enem community even as the village head, Chief Mendie Josiah Udoekoriko, has abandoned his throne for his dear life.
The latest incident, it was gathered, occurred Monday night, when the Iceland group, led by one Oto , from Obon Ebot, stormed the Udianga Enem community to retrieve stolen items, allegedly seized by the opposing gang in the nearby community of Obong Ntak.
Efforts to speak with the Udianga Enem village youths’ President, Udeme John, could not yield result as his line was switched off.
But a member of the Udianga Enem community youths association, who would not want his name mentioned, said the invaders led by the Iceland leader, “came for a truce with the other group, Debam, led by one Samuel Jessy Okonko, popularly called ‘Angel Boy’ with a view to recovering those properties through negotiation.”
Unfortunately, a scuffle broke out, leading to the death of one person while others fled,” he said, adding that the resurgence of armed violence has forced people to abandon their homes, farms and flee to neighboring communities for safety.
He alleged that “Angel Boy” had earlier killed one person at Obong Ntak community after a looting expedition.
He was reportedly identified by the deceased as having led his gang to cart away people’s wares in their community and deliberately shot and killed the deceased.
The source said: “We could not report the matter to the Police at the Area Command because the village head, who would have coordinated the process, immediately fled the environment.”
However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Odiko Macdon, a Police Superintendent (SP) assured on Monday that “full scale investigation will begin as soon as the Etim Ekpo Area Command gives details.”
Besides, he warned hoodlums in the habit of taking the laws into their hands to desist or be prepared to face the fire-power of police operatives, saying, “No one should cash in on the peaceful nature of the state to perpetrate evil.”
