Nigerian Tribune reports that while the rest of the world are still basking in the euphoria of the New Year, the people of Ikot Edah village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, are languishing in pains, penury and destitution following heavy losses occasioned by a communal clash by the youths of the neighbouring Ikot Umiang village.
The terrible, pitiable sight of destroyed property in the community, InsideNigerDelta observed, reminds one of the havoc in the North Eastern part of the country by the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram as cash and property running into millions of naira were destroyed.
However, it took the Chairman, Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Mr Ephraim Akpan; the DPO, CSP Abri, Mkpat Enin; the Councillor representing Ikpa Ikono Ward 2, Mr Nkereuwem Okon James; the deputy leader of the state House of Assembly, Ekaette Philip Akpan; Chief Whip, Mr Isaac Sunday Akpan; Councillor for Ibiaku Ward 2, Mr Ini George as well as Councillor representing Ikpa Ibom Ward 4, Mr Michael Aaron Daniel, over five hours to have an on-the-spot assessment of the level of destruction to the community in a broad daylight.
The crisis, InsideNigerDelta noted, broke out in early hours of penultimate Saturday when inhabitants of the area, mainly peasant farmers and traders, were set to go about their daily businesses. They were caught napping by their attackers.
According to reliable sources, a young man, a native of Ikot Umiang, who resides in Ikot Edah, had a misunderstanding with his friend from Ikot Umiang over a lady both of them had dated. The following day after the brawl, the Ikot Umiang-based lad was passing through Ikot Edah for his normal business at night when the Ikot Edah-based boy attacked and stabbed him to death.
In what is termed a reprisal attack, the youths of Ikot Umiang invaded Ikot Edah at about 8.00 am with guns, machetes, axes, fuel and other weapons, bringing down and burning all houses in Ikot Edah and beating up aged people, especially women, who tried to plead with them to show compassion, while carting away cash and other valuables.
Two cars belonging to the village head of Ikot Edah, Ete Idung Sunday Usoro, about 40 motorcycles, many bicycles and about 60 houses were completely razed including some ancestral heritages.
Villagers’ money, running into millions of naira, was lost to looters. The most affected were the palace of the village head and residence of the councillor who is a native of Ikot Edah, Mr Nkereuwem James.
“The Ikot Umiang youth came in great number with petrol and matches and before we knew what was happening, this house was on fire. They beat up a 90-year old woman who lives here, leaving her with wounds all over her body”, said Anietie Bradforth.
“I watched my house completely set ablaze with two million naira cash inside”, said the village head.
“I put over N200, 000 in my wrapper for over 10 years to buy a piece of land, but today, I am as good as a dying destitute because all the money as well as my goods got burnt”, lamented one fish seller, Mmayen Nse Bassey, who is in her 60’s. (Tribune, InsideNigerDelta)