All hell has been let loose in the raffia city Ikot Ekpene following cut clashes that has claimed several lives so far. THE INK crime desk gathered that four cult groups, JVC, Vikings, Dutoks and Deybam have set IKot Ekpene on fire with residents fleeing their homes and shops for dear lives.
The clashes which started yesterday have reportedly claimed over eight lives while several others have been left severely injured. A source who did not want to be named told our crime reporter that the cult battle has sent panic across the area, forcing shop owners to lock up their business premises for fear of being attacked by the rampaging cultists.
The source added that business activities have also been paralysed following the cult clashes “that has continued to claim lives since yesterday when the battle began. As I speak with you, another death has been recorded today (Monday), and there are several others that have died but yet to be known.’’
A member of a rival cult group, who escaped with wounds was reportedly traced but could not be found. But his assailants did not give up as they reportedly stormed his father’s restaurant along Market Road and beat up the man using several injurious objects including gun butts, apparently as compensation for not seeing his fleeing son.
Investigations revealed that one of the flash points of the deadly clashes is Aggrey Road where it was learnt that many have been killed. A source who spoke to our reporter observed that the general feeling in Ikot Ekpene is that of fear and apprehension following what he described as the high tension the battle among the rival cult groups is generating in the area.
THE INK gathered that Ikot Ekpene is not safe as people can no longer go about their legitimate business. A reliable source said: “we are now living in fear here because whenever there is a cult clash, these cultists relocate to the bush, and when they are hungry, it is the innocent citizens that suffer because they will always emerge from the bush to rob the people.’’
He added that security should be tightened in the area to forestall the escalation of violence and killings in Ikot Ekpene, noting that if swift intervention does not come soon, Ikot Ekpene may by locked down.
Meanwhile, the current Transition Chairman of Ikot Ekpene local government area, Mr. David Umana has been blamed for not doing enough to secure the area. It was learnt that he does not have a cordial working relationship with the people hence has lost grips of Ikot Ekpene. A source who spoke in confidence observed that the crime rate in the area has been on the increase since David Umana came on board as the Transition, adding that it may continue since the Chairman, lives in Uyo permanently.
“What we are facing now is partly because we have a Chairman that does not live in the area he is superintending over. He does not relate well with he people nether has he taken full charge of Ikot Ekpene. It is as bad as that,’’ a source said.
The reason for the cult clashes could not be immediately ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Efforts to speak with David Umana, who is said to on the run proved abortive as his phone lines were not connecting. The Police Public Rrelations Officer, Mrs. Cordelia Nwawe could not be reached for comments as her phone lines were switched off, but a Police source in Ikot Ekpene confirmed that they are aware of the security situation in Ikot Ekpene and are working hard to restore peace and order in the area.
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