No fewer than 50 persons were feared killed,
yesterday, following a raid on another Akwa Ibom State community, Akpa-Mfrukim,
in Akan Obio, a fishing settlement in Uruan Local Government Area of the state
by armed youths suspected to be from Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross
River State.
An indigene of the area who pleaded anonymity
confirmed the development to Vanguard, but said he was not sure of the casualty
figure.
He said: “Many people have fled their homes because of the invasion by
the hoodlums, who (allegedly) came from Ikot Offiong, which is part of the
age-long boundary feud between Oku-Iboku clan in neighbouring Itu Local
Government Area of the state, with Ikot Offiong people in Odukpani Local
Government Area of Cross River State.
Efforts to speak with the Transition
Committee Chairman, Uruan council, Dr. Edwin Okon, on the incident was not
successful as his telephone lines were off.
However, the Chairman was quoted to have said: “The
protracted crises have forced the remaining indigenes to flee and seek refuge
elsewhere.
“Farming and fishing, which are the major sources of livelihood of
my people, have been affected by the invasion of these communities by people
from Odukpani.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police
Command, Mr. Chukwu Ikechukwu, who could not confirm the incident at press
time, said: “I am not aware of the
attack but, I will contact the Divisional Police Officer in the area for
confirmation.”
This content was originally published by vanguardngr.com. Original publishers retain all rights.
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