Akwa Ibom Govt Suspends Monarch Over Alleged Terrorism

Wednesday November 5, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng

The Akwa Ibom Government has suspended the Village Head of Ikot Umo Essien, in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Chief Monday Esu for alleged acts of terrorism.

This is contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong in Uyo on Wednesday, November 5, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported.

Archibong said that the suspension was for a period of six months to enable full scale investigation into the various allegations leveled against the village head.

He said that the allegations against the village head include acts causing the breach of peace and security, such as alleged sponsorship of vandalism and theft of facilities at newly constructed blocks of shops at Ikot Ekpenyong community market among others.

According to him, it will be recalled that hoodlums allegedly from Ikot Umo Essien village stormed the local market in Ikot Ekpenyong community demolishing, vandalising and looting the newly constructed blocks of shops.

“The block of shops was a constituency project facilitated by the immediate past member Representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Mr Nsikak Ekong, in Feb. 2024.

”The alleged criminal element went further to destroy the Fadama sponsored borehole and VIP Lavatory within the same vicinity, carting away items such as aluminium roofing sheets, windows, doors, overhead tanks, water pump and generator.

“They also unleashed mayhem and intimidated residents of the area, making them live in fear.”

The commissioner said that preliminary investigations allegedly fingered the Esu, as the prime suspect.

He said that the village head had therefore been ordered to handover all government property in his possession to the village council secretary.