Elders Move To Avoid Communal Clash In Akwa Ibom
UYO, July 24, (THEWILL) – What could have turned out a bloody conflict between Amazaba and Iko Akpan Udo communities in Akwa Ibom State has been averted, after elders of the former issued a warning to its youths not to retaliate an alleged attack by the latter.
Amazaba community in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area and its neighbours, Ikot Akpan Udo community in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state have been embroiled in a lingering fight over land ownership, the most recent being the 2008 tragedy that claimed hundreds of lives.
To forestall further killings, the state government had ordered the bickering communities to vacate their villages while it seeks a permanent solution to the boundary dispute.
Even as the communities are not living in their original villages, there have been reports of guerilla attacks against the Amazaba community by the Ikot Akpan Udo people.
Recently, the Amazaba community claimed that they were attacked at the Amazaba burial ground by people suspected to indigenes of Ikot Akpan Udo village while they were burying late Mrs. Marion Christian Nglass.
In a statement jointly signed by chairman of its Council of Chiefs, Chief Job James and the chairman of its Development Council, Mr. Gad S. Gad, Amazaba alleged that mercenaries from Ikot Akpan Udo attacked its burial delegation.
“The people of Amazaba community were recently shot by the people of Ikot Akpan Udo in Ikot Abasi at the Amazaba burial ground, when they went to bury Late Mrs. Marion Christian Nglass, the statement read, adding that victims of the shooting were receiving treatment at a private clinic in Eket.
However, the statement appealed to youths of the community to shun the temptation of staging a reprisal, expressing confidence in the willingness and capability of the state government to bring lasting peace to the two communities.
“The Amazaba community has, therefore, called on the State Government Peace Committee to facilitate the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the two communities to enable them return to their homes, which they deserted since 2008,” the statement further urged.
The community also urged the state’s commissioner of Police, Umar Gwadabe to immediately withdraw the policemen stationed at Ikot Akpan Udo village, accusing them of aiding and abetting youths of Ikot Akpan Udo to destroy and vandalize properties in Amazaba.
It equally encouraged the state government, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to release the report of their recent inspection tour of the communities to ascertain if the two communities are totally deserted.