A Fresh communal clash between the people of Amazoba in Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom state and their neighbours in Ikot Akpan Udo village in Ikot Abasi council area has claimed four lives last Saturday.
It was gathered that the casualties occurred only in Ikot Akpan Udo village while no live was lost in Amazaba community.
Our Correspondent gathered that the renewed hostility started last Tuesday, May 9 2023 when the youths of Amazoba invaded Ikot Akpan Udo village by 7:30 pm killing and maiming them while some fled to unknown destinations.
It was also gathered that the boundary dispute between the two communities started in 2008 but was quelled by government interventions.
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said after government resettled them with an order to return to their land and the people of Ikot Akpan Udo had obliged but turned back to fight Amazoba people each time they want to renovate their houses and return as government directed.
” Ikot Akpan Udo people have vowed not to allow us to return to our land. Whenever we want to return they always block us. We didn’t block them when they returned to their houses. Why should they block us ? he queried.
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Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom state police command has deployed 300 policemen to restore law and order in the affected communities.
Speaking to newsmen in Uyo on Sunday, Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer SP Odiko Mcdon said the state commissioner of Police Olatoyo Durosinmi has mobilized 300 policemen to the war-torn areas.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi has released additional Tactical resources targeted at identifying culprits who are at large, their sponsors, and has vowed to bring them to book within the shortest time possible.
“Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police has made additional deployments to Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi LGAs where security breaches have been observed, emanating from communal clashes.
“While the Command is sparing no resources in restoring normalcy, the CP has called on those concerned to give peace a chance. He has further called on relevant State and non-State Actors to intensify their interface in order to restore peace.”
