April 20, (THEWILL) –Â Scores of people are reportedly killed and properties estimated at millions of Naira destroyed, following a community clash on Wednesday between the Yoruba residents and the indigenes of Ibeno in Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
A community source, who could not confirm the number of casualties said, however, that both sides have suffered reverses.
Although the actual cause of the fracas could not be asertained immediately, the source said that the crisis started as a result of cult clash, before assuming an ethnic dimensions.
According to the source, the Ilaje people, mostly fishermen, have started fleeing the community through bush paths, while theirs houses and tents are being looted and destroyed by the hoodlums.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, when contacted simply said he was not aware of the crisis, but he will make contacts to find out.
He said, “I will find out, I am not aware, but I will find out.”
A former commissioner of Special Duties in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Okpolupmn Etteh, who hails from the area could not pick his calls to comment on the issue. However, a concerned citizen and an indigene of Yoruba, living in Akwa Ibom state, Barr. Oluwajuwon Ogunbiyi, who confirmed the incident described the situation as unfortunate and called on the state government to set up a committee to investigate the crisis.
He said “It is quite unfortunate that this crisis has led to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties.The Ibeno community had been a good host over the decades as both indigenes and non indigenes have been living there in harmony without rancour.
“I’m therefore, using this medium to appeal for peace and an end to hostilities from both warring parties. I also want to call on the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, as well as Head of all security agencies in the state, to intervene in the matter immediately in order to stem down this wave of violence.
“The state government must as a matter of urgency set up a committee to look into this crisis, so as to ascertain the major cause. Perpetrators fanning the embers of war on both sides must be arrested immediately.”
