October 18, (THEWILL) – Intense cult wars continue unabated in Akwa Ibom state as no fewer than four persons have been shot dead in some communities in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas.
The killings, it was gathered, followed months of battles for supremacy involving two rival cult groups: Icelaand (The Red) and the Debam (The White).
A notorious cult leader of the Icelaand confraternity, simply identified as Otto, from Obon Ebot village in Etim Ekpo local government area, is alleged to be the mastermind of the attacks against the opposing group.
“Otto has been going round and killing people, saying he has the mandate to kill those he believed are cultists for allegedly using his name to commit crime. He uses charms to detect his targets and kills them instantly,” a local resident told journalists in Etim Ekpo.
Those killed, it was learnt; include one Samuel Ekeke Mkpokporo, from Udianga Enem village and one Gideon from Ikot Udobong village.
Two others were mowed down, one King Monday John Ibanga from Ikot Ibekwe village, and an unidentified victim from Ikot Unah village.
The youth leader of Udianga Enem village, Comrade Udeme John, who confirmed the killings, said: “I have personally made entry concerning the matter at the Etim Ekpo Area Command.
“The remains of one of them, Samuel in Udianga Enem, were hurriedly buried on Monday, October 18, 2021, and when the village head, Chief Mendie Josiah Udoekoriko, advised the family to delay the burial till the Police were informed, to no avail, I had to personally report the matter at the Area Command.
“Samuel was shot dead at the Qua Iboe Church junction in Udianga Enem, while Gideon was killed at the small market in Ikot Udobong, and this would be the second such killings in my community in recent times,” he explained.
He said residents fled the two local government areas a few years ago, and only returned to the communities after Governor Udom Emmanuel granted amnesty to repentant militants who agreed to drop their arms in the run-up to the 2019 general elections.
He, therefore, urged the governor and security agencies to review the amnesty programme with a view to capturing the remnants for sustainable peace in the affected communities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon, confirmed the receipt of a report that one Gideon Monday Udoekong of Ikot Umoabiat was shot by an unknown person at Ikot Udobong.
He said the Command also received another report that one Kingsley David John of Ikot Ibekwe in Ukanafun LGA was found dead in his neighbourhood.
He said: “The Command wishes to enjoin the good residents of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun to go about their lawful business without any form of as security has been beefed up in those areas.The Command has received a report that one Gideon Monday Udoekong of Ikot Umoabiat was shot by an unknown person along Iwukem-Ukanafun Road, precisely at Ikot Udobong. The Command also received another report that one Kingsley David John of Ikot Ibekwe in Ukanafun LGA was found dead in his neighbourhood.
“The Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, fdc, has reacted swiftly by deploying tactical teams to the areas to fish out the perpetrators while a discrete investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding these deaths and to bring those responsible for these dastardly acts to justice.”
