Residents of Ibeno Local Government Area have called out for help against the destruction of life and property meted on them by the people of Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas under the aegis of Coalition of Coastal Aboriginal Communities of Akwa Ibom.
The call was sequel to the invasion and attack on Ibeno people in the early hour of Tuesday, February 27, 2024, by members of the Coalition.
Verified information has it that before a team of Policemen and other security agencies could intervene and stop an arson attempt on Mobil filling station along QIT Road, Ibeno, own by one Samuel Ekpenyong, the invaders have killed three persons, maimed many others and burnt down over 24 houses including Four Square Church in Iwuachang, a community in Ibeno.
A resident of Iwuoachang, Mr. Ekpo Emmanuel, has alleged that “the invasion and attack is sponsored by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, the Chairmen of Eket and Esit Eket, Mr. Akaninyene Tommey and Engr. Iniobong Robson; the National President of Ekid People Union (EPU), Dr Samuel Udonsak, and the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Chief ECD Abia.”
Mr. Emmanuel also said “I challenged any of the aforementioned to prove me wrong. We have done our investigations and every ground work and we have concrete evidences. We appeal to our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, not to toe the path of his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who created the whole problem through his remapping agenda.”
Another resident, Mr. Otukere Okon, in his argument said “the incident was carefully planned for and executed. Why will you, in the name of protest, blocked the only access routes to community, invade and attack the people, claiming that you are protesting the non-implementation of government policies? Wouldn’t the House of Assembly or the Judiciary Headquarters or Government House have been a better ground for protest, if the intention was genuine and sincere?”
“There is more to it and we, the people and residents of Ibeno local government area, are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come to our aid. It is a planned delineation of the Obolo people from Akwa Ibom State. We know those playing the drum of war. They must be stopped now before it escalates,” he explained.
This was further confirmed by a leaked circular signed by Dr Udonsak on February 26, 2024, “Good Morning All. The destruction of blocks at Esit Urua and the assault on the Transition Chairman of Eket LGA when he went to assess the damage by Ibeno youths as well as other acts of victimization of Ekid people by ungrateful settlers were reported to the Coalition of Coastal Aboriginal LGA Assembly. The Assembly resolved to impose a total blockade of Ibeno and Eastern Obolo settlers at Esit Urua, Edo, Onna, Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi to press for our rights. In compliance, the Union effected a total blockade at Edo and Esit Urua by 2.am this morning, towards a 2000-Man indefinite peaceful protest. We have to reiterate that this is a peaceful protest, and nobody should test our resolve to press for our rights. I call on every son and daughter of Ekid to support this exercise in any manner possible.”
Recall that Dr Udonsak, through a kangaroo publication, assured that there will be protest “holding simultaneously at locations of Esit Urua Village in Eket Local Government Area and Edo Group of Villages in Esit Eket Local Government Area. The protest shall continue until all demands of the Aboriginal Communities are met by the Government.
According to that publication, Dr Udonsak cautioned Government against the use of force to disperse the angry protesters insisting that “any attempt at forceful evacuation of the protesters shall yield unpleasant results.”
Investigation has revealed that the agenda of the Coalition, which is made up of Eket, Esit Eket, ONNA, and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas, is with deep political colorations targeted at the Federal Constituency seat in 2027.
Part of the Coalition attempt, which is against the existence of Ibeno as a local government area, is to arm-twist Governor Umo Eno to “implement all Judicial rulings on matters concerning the Stubb creek, implement to the fullest all recommendations of the Akwa Ibom State Elders Council Committee which includes the removal of all illegal structures from the Stubb Creeks, creation of access roads to the Atlantic Ocean for all the five Littoral Local Government Areas amongst others.”
Speaking shortly after a security meeting with state director of the Department of State Service and other sister agencies, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ibeno, Hon. Emma Ibok, confirmed the incident and said he was taking inventory of casualties and the level destruction.
Hon. Ibok said “the invaders have destroyed lots of properties in Ibeno. So many people have been hospitalized and we are yet to confirm the actual number of casualties. I am going from one hospital to the other to ascertain it. I have been told that some people were killed but I am trying to verify it.”
Explaining further, Hon. Ibok said “They have stationed some policemen here but the problem we have as a community is that the moment people excuse themselves at night to rest, the invaders will attack. So, we can tell if they are working with the police or the security of Ibeno people is sabotaged.”
All efforts to speak with Mr. Akanyene Tommey of Eket Local Government Council and his Esit Eket counterpart, Engr. Iniobong Robson proved abortive as they neither took calls nor returned messages.
The State Government’s position on the matter was stated through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, was a call for “peace to reign to avoid loss of lives and damage to property.”
The statement maintained that “While Government recognizes that this conflict is rooted in heritage claims which date back to pre-independence times, it is constrained by the subsisting court actions on the same subject matter. It is the position of the State Government that until all these cases are resolved, nothing will be done in support or against the map.”
“In the interim, we urge all the parties to either await the judgement of the court, or explore peaceful means in resolving their issues. It is noteworthy that Government will north surrender her primary duty of protecting lives and property, for any reason. Traditional and political leaders are also admonished to act as enablers of peace and not catalyst of conflict, as history is recording the dramatis personae,” the statement concluded.