The transition committee chairman of Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa State, Hon Udeme Eduo and the village head of Undianga Emem Village, Chief Mendie Josiah Udoekoriko, have reportedly fled following cult attacks.
It was gathered that fear and confusion have enveloped the two restive communities of Udianga Enem and the neighboring Abak-Obong in the local government as cult members continue their reign of terror in the past couple of days.
A source told our correspondent that no fewer than 10 persons had died including the village head of Abak-Obong, Chief Bassey Ikpaisong, who was hospitalized after sustaining gunshot wounds in the last attack three days ago.
The village head of Udianga Enem Village, Chief Mendie Josiah Udoekoriko, who spoke from his hideout told Next Edition Wednesday that he escaped by the sheer grace of God.
He said, “They burn our Affiong market and torched some houses including Idung Akpanowo, where they looted personal belongings including cash, motorcycles, palm oil and other farm produce.
“I only escape by sheer grace of God, because at my age of over 60, the strength to run is no longer there,” he further said.
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According to him miscreants have taken advantage of the situation to steal people’s property.
“Right now, some other miscreants are cashing in on the problem and total absence of security to break into people’s homes to steal their livestock, palm oil, foodstuff and other valuables,” he said.
A source who craved anonymity said the disappearance of the chairman of the council heightened the fear of the local residents, who had also sought refuge in other places.
“This action by our Chairman has created fear in the minds of the remaining residents and has forced them to escape from the villages to places like Iwukem, Utu Etim Ekpo, Abak, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and other safer areas where they have relations and friends” the source said.
He lamented the absence of security presence in the communities and blamed the police whom he accused of coming to the place to only blow siren.
He said, “Since the incident took place, the Police will only come and blow siren for some minutes during the day time and escape, leaving old people and others with nowhere to go at the mercies of small thieves and other hoodlums who have taken over the communities.”
He linked the escalating violence in communities to the forthcoming local government elections slated to hold across the 31 councils onNovember 11.
“The politicians should be impressed upon to call these boys to order because they (politicians) always use them during elections to create fear in order to rig elections,” he added.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, who confirmed the developments, blamed leaders of the troubled communities for always failing to report such breach of peace to the Police immediately it happens for quick intervention.
