IKOT EDAH—ONE person was killed, 60 houses razed
and over 400 persons rendered homeless in a disgraceful
inter-communal crisis that broke out, weekend, between
youths of Ikot Umiang and Ikot Edah communities,
Nkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
90-year-old woman and the remains of her house and
property;
Niger Delta Voice learned that the fracas that caused
extensive havoc to the residences of the Village Head of
Ikot Edah, Ete Idung Sunday Usoro, and councillor
representing Ikpa Ikono, Ward 2, Mr. Nkreuwem James,
was kindled by a dispute between two boys from both
communities over a girlfriend.
Besides property running into millions of naira and
money that were looted, about 40 motorcycles, bicycles
and ancestral heritages were torched. Two cars belonging
to the monarch were also destroyed.
A dependable source told Niger Delta Voice: “A young
man, who hails from Ikot Umiang and residing in Ikot
Edah had a minor misunderstanding with his friend, an
indigene of Ikot Edah, over a lady both of them had
dated previously.
“What really transpired between them is not clear. But it
was so serious that in the evening of the following day,
when the Ikot Umiang boy was passing through Ikot
Edah after his normal business, the Ikot Edah-based
lover boy and his gang waylaid and stabbed him to
death.”
Revenge
In an apparent reprisal attack, youths of Ikot Umiang
invaded Ikot Edah at about 8a.m with guns, machetes,
axes, fuel and other dangerous weapons, burning all the
houses in the community.
The invaders manhandled aged people, especially the
women who tried to plead with them.
Our source said inhabitants of the community, mainly
peasant farmers and traders, were setting out for their
farms and shops on the ill-fated day, when the invaders
stormed the town.
A villager, Aniete Bradforth, said: “The Ikot Umiang
youths came in like soldier ants with guns, petrol and
matches and before we knew what was happening, this
house (pointing to a residence) was on fire.
“They beat up a 90-year-old woman, who lives here,
leaving her with injuries all over her body.”
The village head, Usoro, said: “I watched my house set
ablaze with N2 million cash inside.”
Usoro said he was on his way to the Police Station to
lodge a report that a corpse was abandoned in the
community when armed youths of Ikot Umiang invaded
Ikot Edah.
He said the attacking youths were armed, but that police
were able to make some arrests.
A fish seller, who is in her 60s, Mmayen Bassey,
bemoaned: “I have been keeping money in my wrapper for
over 10 years to buy a piece of land. It has amounted to
over N200,000. Today, I am as good as dead as they all
got burnt; not even to talk about my goods.”
Niger Delta Voice observed during a visit that the houses
in Ikot Edah were completely razed. There was uneasy
calm in the community as victims wailed and called on
government and public-spirited individuals to come to
their assistance.
Ikot Umiang deserted
At Ikot Umiang, it was discovered that the community
had been deserted by villagers for fear of possible arrest by
the police, while economic activities and social life in the
town have been paralyzed.
Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government, Mr. Eph-
raim Akpan and Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge
of the area, CSP Abri, rushed to the community as soon
as report of the incident reached them, to ascertain the
cause of the fracas and extent of damage.
They were accompanied by Mr. James, Deputy Leader of
the council’s legislature, Ekaette Akpan, Chief Whip,
Mr.Isaac Akpan, councillors for Ibiaku, ward 2, Mr. Ini
George and ward 4, Mr. Michael Daniel.
For over five hours, they trudged through the ruins of the
devastation with the chairman practically weeping.
Council boss sues for peace
Mr. Akpan cautioned the warring parties to maintain
calm, while security agents carried out investigations into
the matter with a view to bringing the guilty to book.
The council boss, who described the situation as heart-
breaking and sorrowful, however, assured that no culprit
would escape the wrath of the law.
He said: “There is no situation that would warrant this
barbaric act at the beginning of the year. This is heart
breaking and I cannot hold back tears. But as I said,
there is no point retaliating as the police, who have done
very well already, will investigate the matter and bring
all the culprits to book.
“On our part as a government, the council will ameliorate
the situation and as a matter of fact, 12 hours from now,
we will assemble all villagers of this community and give
them some relief materials.
“It is pathetic that the only property of these people now
have are the clothes on their body, but we will do our
best.”
He said a committee would be set up to evaluate the
mayhem and come up with intermediary measures to
cushion the sufferings of the affected persons.
Over 25 suspects nabbed
A police officer said police were making plans to evacuate
the remains of the Ikot Umiang youth that was killed in
Ikot Edah, adding that about 25 persons have been
arrested in connection with the crisis.
He disclosed that the arrested suspects were handed over
to men of the Criminal Investigation Department, CID,
Uyo.

Source: www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/nightmare-akwa-ibom-one-dead-60-houses-razed-friends-fight-girlfriend/

may God save our frustrated youths

fijiano202:
may God save our frustrated youths

From their own ignorance

Na wao...

The mumu boys will be quick to blane the girl now. Just wait and see.