THREE KILLED, FOUR MISSING IN ABIA, AKWA IBOM COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
At least three persons have been feared killed and four others abducted in Abia, Akwa Ibom communal violence.
Eons Intelligence gathered that youths from Usako Uko in Ikwuano local government area of Abia State allegedly invaded the territories of their neighbours in Nkari in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Friday, January 22, 2021, and attacked its people.
In the attack, the people of Nkari were alleged to have been shot and their motorcycles carted away.
Last year, a similar incident occurred which led to the killing of 11 people and with several injured from both camps.
Benjamin Akpan, a former councillor in Nkari Ward 4 described the invasion as devastating.
“Last Friday, which was our market day, our attackers laid ambush and killed our people. They killed my younger brother, even the other of my relative with her husband; we found their corpses this morning. I’m sure they both went to the early market
“Four persons whom were said to have passed the road could not be found as I’m speaking with you now. Maybe they were abducted because we have not seen them. The issue is beyond our community; how can we be living in perpetual fear in our father’s land?” Mr Akpan said.
Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, a member representing Ini state constituency and the Chief Whip of the state Assembly, described the crisis as guerilla warfare. He called for improved security in the area saying youths lay ambush and shoot anyone who crossed the road.
Stakeholders from both Communities have repeatedly called on the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to give a clear demarcation of the boundary between the Nkari and the Usako Uko communities.
“In my first and second term in the state House of Assembly, I’ve moved a motion of urgent public importance on the need to rescue the people of Nkari. I told the assembly in October last year that if the crisis was not addressed, it would worsen and deteriorate to the extent that we won’t be able to manage it,” Hon Bassey said.
The Nigeria Police has confirmed the tension between the border neighbours but added that the Commissioners of Police from both states have returned normalcy to the area.
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