Akwa Ibom Community To Fed Govt: Arrest Sponsors Of Conflict

Youths of Obolo ethnic nationality have urged the Federal Government to arrest suspected sponsors of the recent bloody communal clash in Akwa Ibom State.

Ekid people in Eket and Esit Eket local governments last week clashed with residents of Ibeno Local Government over the ownership of the oil-rich Stubbs Creek Forest Reserves otherwise called Akoiyak.

The conflict led to loss of lives and destruction of property, a situation which caused the state government to take control of the land, to avoid further bloodshed.

But Obolo youth groups comprising Obolo Youth Coalition Worldwide (OYC) , Oro Youth Movement (OYOM), Ijaw Youth Council, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Ibeno Youth Leaders and Eastern Obolo Youth Leaders are demanding the arrest and prosecution of sponsors of the conflict.

The groups made the demand in a statement yesterday signed by Comrades Emmanuel Essang and Animisa Mark, President General and Secretary General, OYC Worldwide.

Comrades Edet Eyo and Edet Iyahakwa, National President and National Secretary, OYOM, also signed among others.

They condemned the attack on Ibeno, blaming the situation on the wrong remapping law of the state government, which is a subject of litigation that Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi local governments are parties to.

“We condemn in the strongest of terms, the unprovoked attack on Ibeno communities and hereby demand the arrest and prosecution of Dr. Samuel Udonsak, Mr. Frank Archibong, Mr. Iniobong Robson and others who are the sponsors of this unprovoked attack on our people.”

“That the Akwa Ibom State Government were informed of several plans by the said architects of this attack, but the government did nothing about it, thereby giving the perpetrators opportunity to achieve their nefarious plans.

“We hereby call on the Federal Government to caution soldiers and police officers sent to Ibeno to stop using live ammunition on our weaponless youths. They should be professional in their duties, as any act of further attack from soldiers and police officers on our youths shall no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

Spokesperson person for Ekid People’s Union, Mr. Nsudo Nsudo, has denied that the conflict was sponsored by the trio of Dr. Samuel Udonsak, Frank Archibong and Iniobong Robson.