Armed hoodlums alleged to be youths from Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last weekend invaded the Ibeno community known as Atia village aka New Barracks, and killed one person, burnt houses while scores were critically injured.
The hoodlums severed the head of their victim, one Mr. Monday Okon from Odio village in Eket, leaving his headless body behind and taking away some captives, according to eyewitness reports gathered by correspondents.
Addressing our reporter, who visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment, Mrs. Ekaette Okon said the invaders decided to kill Mr. Monday Okon, an indigene of Eket, for working as an informant for the Ibeno people, a story corroborated by one of the sons of the late victim.
Speaking further, the eyewitness revealed some hoodlums stormed the community Atia village, aka New Barracks, on Saturday at about 2 p.m. and warned that no Christmas activity should take place without their consent.
They came back again around midnight, fully armed, and started burning down houses. They killed one Mr. Monday Okon from Odio village in Eket and cut off his head for working against their interest. They accused him of working and supporting the Ibeno people”.
She revealed that residents of New Barracks and Ndito Eka Iba wanted to celebrate Christmas with a display of cultural dances and some other activities on Sunday, December 22, and that the attackers had openly warned in the afternoon that such celebration can only take place with their consent, claiming that the two communities belong to the Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Related: Ibeno Bleeds As Hoodlums Destroy Schools, Clinics, Homes In Inua Eyet Ikot Community
About a month ago, the Inua Eyet Ikot Community in the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was abandoned following a midnight attack. During this incident, suspected hoodlums from the neighboring Esit Eket council area destroyed property valued at millions of naira.
Conducting journalists around the terribly damaged schools, clinics, and people’s homes, the emeritus village council chairman, Chief Nta Edyang, then lamented that the damaged buildings, farms, and other facilities were valued at over 100 million naira.
According to him, “The sole reason for the latest attack is not unconnected with ongoing petrochemical factory project which is being built in our community by BUA group. The hoodlums claimed our village was their land and even hoisted a Flag after the destruction written: “Ibeno beware, we won’t tolerate your conspiracy with the state government to take our land”.
The paramount ruler of Ibeno, Owong (Prof) Effiong Archianga traced the genesis of the serial attacks in Ibeno Communities to the enormous natural resources deposited by God in their domain.
According to the paramount ruler, “Ibeno is blessed with oil and gas; the entire state is enjoying our wealth. We need peace to coexist and will not tolerate further aggression from our neighbours.
“All the areas they are laying claim to belong to us. If the attack persists, we will defend ourselves. We are warriors and obollo people. I have appealed to Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to elders and council chairmen of our neighbouring council areas to call their youths to order”.
The paramount ruler appealed to the state government to intervene and bring succour to the destroyed community and others earlier burnt down to assuage their feelings and encourage the healing process”.
The youth leader from Ibeno who pleaded anonymity has called on the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to demonstrate his commitment to peace by ensuring that the mayhem visited on Ibeno people by some elements in Eket does not escalate into a full-blown communal war.
The police in Akwa Ibom have confirmed the incident and have assured that the situation is under control while the investigation has commenced to arrest the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, residents of Atia village, aka New Barracks, who survived the latest attack have been rendered homeless. Some of them were seen by reporters at Mkpanak in Ibeno with their children and luggage, walking endlessly looking for assistance and where to squat.
