Gunmen destroy A’Ibom schools, clinics

There is tension and pandamonium in Inua Eyet Ikot Community in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following a Saturday midnight attack on the community by suspected armed militia from neighbouring Esit Eket.

PUNCH Metro gathered on Sunday that the ongoing construction of a petrochemical factory project in the community by BUA Group had been a cause of disunity between the neighbouring communities, leading to frequent armed attacks.

Our correspondent reports that several public schools and clinics including people’s homes estimated at several millions of naira were destroyed in the midnight attack.

Conducting journalists round the affected areas on Sunday, the village council chairman, Nta Edyang, expressed regret over the incident, adding that facilities damaged were more than one N100m.

He said, “A couple of days ago, we were woken up to the invasion from our Esit Eket neighbours at midnight with massive attacks on our farms, clinic, schools and people’s homes which were all brought down.

“The invaders came at midnight well armed and people fled to the bushes, from where they heard them using sledge hammers and other destructive equipment to destroy properties we laboured to build.

“The sole reason for the latest attack is not unconnected with the ongoing petrochemical factory project which is being built in our community by BUA Group. The hoodlums claimed our village is their land and even hoisted a flag after the destruction, written, “Ibeno, beware, we won’t tolerate your conspiracy with state government to take our land.”

He said the matter was reported to the state police commissioner who visited the area in the company of other security agencies and appealed to them to remain calm while an investigation was ongoing.

The paramount ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, Owong Effiong Archianga, who also spoke with journalists, traced the genesis of the serial attacks on Ibeno communities to the enormous natural resources deposited by God in their domain.

He said, “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 claims to belong to us. If the attack persists, we will defend ourselves. We are warriors and Obollo people. I have appealed to the Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to the elders and the council chairmen of our neighbouring LGA to caution their youths.”

The paramount ruler appealed to the state government to intervene and bring succour to the destroyed communities and others earlier burnt down to assuage their feelings and encourage the healing process.

“The government should replace the damaged property and help the displaced people recover from the shock of the atrocities. The government must not allow the repeat of what happened, more security should be deployed to Ibeno communities to protect lives and property while the hoodlums must be apprehended to face the full weight of the law”.

In his remarks, the village head of the Mkpanah community, Dennis Bassey Esenem, expressed the hope that the crisis would be permanently resolved with the determination of both council chairmen to restore peace to the area.