The Paramount Ruler of Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, His Royal Majesty, Ogwong Okon Abang has intervened in the protracted skirmishes between Enwang and Ukonteghe Uda with a view to finding a lasting solution to the intractable problem over a disputed parcel of land.
Speaking at the peace parley in Ukonteghe on Thursday, Ogwong Abang said he resolved to visit the area to plead with both parties to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance for the overall development of Mbo, assuring that the matter would be amicably resolved so that peace can return to the warring communities.
He recalled that in 2016, the communal clash over the disputed land involving Uko Akpan Enwang and Ukonteghe Uda was brought to the table of the Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) but because of lack of cooperation from some principal actors the matter could not be amicably resolved.
The royal father, who went on his knees, said the current bloodletting would have been averted if the matter had been resolved in 2016.
According to him, a joint Committee of the Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) and Oron Union could not access the two warring communities on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 because aggrieved Enwang youths converged on the Mbo Bridge Head, preventing human and vehicular traffic.
He said that the armed youths even threatened to set his official vehicle, a Toyota Prado SUV ablaze if he insisted on entering the area for a peace talk.
Condemning the act in strong terms, the royal father appealed to the state government and security agencies to step in and restore normalcy to the area.
The Village Head of Ukonteghe Uda, Chief Asukwo Samuel Isikong thanked the Paramount Ruler for the visit.
Also speaking, the youth President of Ukonteghe Uda, Comrade Okon Moses who described Ukonteghe as a peace loving people, pleaded with the Paramount Ruler to warn Enwang youths against further aggression on Ukonteghe for peace to reign.
The youth leader appealed to the Nigerian Navy and marine police to beef up surveillance on the waterways of Mbo so as to forestall further attacks.
It was gathered that the yellow palm fronds (ayei) hoisted by traditional rulers as traditional injunction at the boundary between Enwang and Ukonteghe Uda were allegedly removed by Enwang youths.
It was also gathered that the renewed land dispute has claimed many lives on both sides, while several others are said to be in critical condition, in addition to properties destroyed.
Army personnel and policemen were seen patrolling the warring communities with their Hilux pick-ups to and fro in an attempt to avert further breakdown of law and order.
Present at the peace meeting were prominent indigenes and stakeholders of Uda community. They include a political chieftain in Mbo Local Government Area, Chief E.O. Moses (On The Rock); Secretary of Ahta Oro, Chief Etim Abia (Akpaha Oro); a former commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Prince Chris Abasieyo; commissioner 1, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Service Commission, Chief (Barr) Edet Atada; special assistant to the Governor on Projects, Hon Emmanuel Isikong and special assistant to the Governor on Projects Monitoring, Mr Patrick Tom as well as Mr Mfon Henry, among others.
