At least 12 persons have been hospitalised and several houses torched in a renewed wave of violence unleashed on the people of Inua Eyet Ikot in Ibeno Local Government Area, allegedly by invaders from neighbouring Eket LGA.
The two neighbouring LGAs have been at loggerheads for years over control of the Stubbs Creek Reserve, a conflict that has led to multiple deaths and destruction of properties estimated at millions of naira.
The latest attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday last week at about 1:30 am, left several members of the Ibeno community wounded.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, recalled that Mr Daniel Asuquo, popularly known as “Dan Baba,” was among the gunshot victims, caught in the crossfire while trying to escape.
He said his residence, along with those of others and properties worth millions of naira, were vandalised and set ablaze during the invasion.
The source said, “At about 1:30 am on Friday, we heard gunshots in our community, and we immediately alerted the police, who quickly mobilised to rescue us.
“The police team arrived when the attackers had escaped. A search was conducted where one of the victims, Mr. Daniel Asuquo, alias ‘Danbaba’, was seen lying in a pool of his blood from gunshot wounds. He was immediately evacuated to a nearby health facility.”
“This attack is the fifth time Ibeno has been attacked by Eket and Esit Eket LGAs in recent times,” another eyewitness and member of the youths’ vigilante group recalled.
He further noted that, “Ibeno LGA is home to major oil installations and multinational operations, and has come under attack by its neighbours as a result of re-mapping and boundary re-adjustment initiated by the immediate past administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel.”
Another victim, currently taking refuge in neighbouring Eastern Obolo LGA, said: “This recent attack has added a fresh layer of concern for peace and security in Ibeno, which produces 80 per cent of oil revenues to the Akwa Ibom State government and the centre.”
“We view this as a continuation of the unresolved hostilities and tensions between communities in Ibeno and Eket LGAs, often linked to a long-standing feud,” he added.
Stakeholders have condemned the incessant attacks on Ibeno communities, which have led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
They appealed to Governor Umo Eno, security agencies, and other concerned organisations, including the State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency, to come to their aid.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, who confirmed the attack, assured that efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
