Armed hoodlums have attacked the Inua Eyet Ikot community in the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, forcing residents to flee the oil-producing village after an unexpected midnight assault over the weekend.
Reports indicate that several villagers sustained injuries, while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the attack.
The hoodlums, believed to have come from the neighboring Esit Eket Local Government Area, allegedly carried out the assault in relation to a long-standing land dispute.
Inua Eyet Ikot, a small but resource-rich community, is home to the ExxonMobil Qua Iboe Terminal and the BUA Petrochemical factory currently under construction.
The attack has left critical infrastructure in ruins, including schools, clinics, homes, and shops.
Chief Nta Edyang, the emeritus village council chairman, showed journalists around the heavily damaged community, revealing that the destruction, including ruined farms and facilities, is estimated to be over N100 million.
“A couple of days ago, we were woken to the invasion 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, and people fled to the bushes, from where they heard them using sledge hammers and other destructive equipment to destroy properties we laboured to build from the foundation levels.
“The sole reason for the latest attack is not unconnected with ongoing petrochemical factory project which is being built in our community by BUA group. The hoodlums claimed our village was their land and even hoisted a flag after the destruction, writing, ‘Ibeno beware, we won’t tolerate your conspiracy with the state government to take our land.’
“And 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,” he said.
The paramount ruler of Ibeno LGA, Owong Effiong Archianga, traced the genesis of the serial attacks to the enormous natural resources deposited by God in his domain.
“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 claim to belong to us, if the attack persists, we will defend ourselves, we are warriors of Obolo ethnic nationality. I have appealed to Ibeno youths to remain calm, and I am also appealing to the elders, council chairmen and other stakeholders from our neighboring council area to call their youths to order,” he said.
The paramount ruler appealed to the state government to intervene and bring succour to the people of the destroyed community, to assuage their feelings and to 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, 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 stressed.
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