At least 12 persons have been hospitalised and several houses torched in a renewed wave of violence unleashed on the people of Inua Eyet Ikot in Ibeno Local Government Areaallegedly by invaders from neighbouring Eket LGA.
The two neighbouring LGAs have been at loggerheads for years over control of the Stubbs Creek Reservea conflict that has led to multiple deaths and destruction of properties estimated at millions of naira.
The latest attackwhich occurred in the early hours of Friday last week at about 1:30 amleft several members of the Ibeno community wounded.
An eyewitnesswho requested anonymityrecalled that Mr Daniel Asuquopopularly known as “Dan Baba,” was among the gunshot victimscaught in the crossfire while trying to escape.
He said his residencealong with those of others and properties worth millions of nairawere vandalised and set ablaze during the invasion.
The source said“At about 1:30 am on Fridaywe heard gunshots in our communityand we immediately alerted the policewho quickly mobilised to rescue us.
“The police team arrived when the attackers had escaped. A search was conducted where one of the victimsMr. Daniel Asuquoalias ‘Danbaba’was seen lying in a pool of his blood from gunshot wounds. He was immediately evacuated to a nearby health facility.”
“This attack is the fifth time Ibeno has been attacked by Eket and Esit Eket LGAs in recent times,” another eyewitness and member of the youths’ vigilante group recalled.
He further noted that“Ibeno LGA is home to major oil installations and multinational operationsand has come under attack by its neighbours as a result of re-mapping and boundary re-adjustment initiated by the immediate past administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel.”
Another victimcurrently taking refuge in neighbouring Eastern Obolo LGAsaid: “This recent attack has added a fresh layer of concern for peace and security in Ibenowhich produces 80 per cent of oil revenues to the Akwa Ibom State government and the centre.”
“We view this as a continuation of the unresolved hostilities and tensions between communities in Ibeno and Eket LGAsoften linked to a long-standing feud,” he added.
Stakeholders have condemned the incessant attacks on Ibeno communitieswhich have led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
They appealed to Governor Umo Enosecurity agenciesand other concerned organisationsincluding the State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agencyto come to their aid.
The Commissioner of PoliceBaba Azarewho confirmed the attackassured that efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“Investigation is ongoing,” he assuredvowing that no stone would be left unturned in fishing out the suspects as operatives had since been deployed.
