Hoodlums Attack Akwa Ibom Community, Destroy Property Worth Millions

Okon Bassey in Uyo

A community in Akwa Ibom State, Inua Eyet Ikot Community in Ibeno Local Government Area has been deserted following  a midnight attack by hoodlums at the weekend.

 Property worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed by the hoodlums suspected to come from neighbouring Esit Eket council area.

Inua Eyet Ikot community in Ibeno hosts the ExxonMobil Mobil Qua Iboe terminal facility and also have BUA’s petrol chemical factory under construction in their domain.

Conducting journalists  around areas of destruction, including schools, clinics and people’s homes yesterday, the village council Chairman, Chief Nta Edyang, lamented that the damaged buildings, farms and other facilities were valued at over N100 million.

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

“The Invaders came at midnight well-armed while the people fled into the bushes, from where they hear them using sledge hammers and other destructive equipment to destroy property we laboured to build to foundation level.

“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 hosted a flag after the destruction written “Ibeno beware, we won’t tolerate your conspiracy with the state government to take our land.

“We have reported the matter to the state Police Commissioner who visited the area in the company of other security agencies to see the level of damage and appealed to us to remain calm while investigation is ongoing.

Also, the paramount ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, Owong (Prof) Effiong Archianga, traced the genesis of the serial attacks on Ibeno communities to the enormous natural resources deposit in their domain.

According to the paramount ruler, “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 Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to elders, council chairmen of our neighbouring council areas to call their youths to order.”

The paramount ruler appealed to the state government to intervene and bring succour to the destroyed community 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 before-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,” he stated.

The state government in conjunction with security agencies have visited the affected area for further investigations.