Four Killed in a Renewed Cult War

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Four person have reportedly been killed in two communities in Akwa Ibom State during a cult war that erupted last Sunday.

The affected villages are: Udianga Anem and Obon Ebot in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Ikot Unah and Ikot Ibekwe in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

For the past three months cult war involving Debam and Iceland confraternities has been going on in the two local government areas of the state.

It was gathered that a notorious cult leader from the Iceland confraternity group identified as Otto, from Obon Ebot village in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area was alleged to have masterminded attack against the rival members of Debam confraternity.

An eyewitness said Otto has been going round the community killing members of rival cult group on the pretext that he has the mandate to kill those he believed were cultists who have used his name to commit crime in the community.

The source said Otto used charms to detect his targets and killed the suspected cultists instantly.

He listed those killed to include one Samuel Ekeke Mkpokporo, from Udianga Enem village and Gideon, from Ikot Udobong village in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

Another two persons, who were brought down including one King Monday John Ibanga, from Ikot Ibekwe village, and an unidentified victim from Ikot Unah village in the neighbouring Ukanafun Local Government Area.

The Youths Leader of Udianga Enem village, Comrade Udeme John, said he has 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 yesterday, 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 the recent times”, he explained.

He recalled that residents had fled the two Local Government Areas few years ago, and only returned to the communities after Governor Udom Emmanuel, had granted amnesty to some repentant militants, who agreed to down 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 (PPRO), Akwa Ibom state Police Command, SP Odiko Mcdon said the command has received the report on the incident .

“ 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, CP Andrew Amiegheme 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.”

“The Command wishes to enjoin the good residents of Estim 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 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,” he said.