By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
Angry youths of Akon-Itam community in Itu Local Council of Akwa Ibom have persisted in their protests over the killing of a couple along the Calabar-Itu Highway by the convoy of a serving Senator, Akon Eyakenyi.
Eyakenyi is also the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in next year’s election and represent Eket Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
One of the youths, Comrade Utibe Inyang, who told newsmen that the convoy rammed into the couple on a motorcycle on the highway added that what exercabated the anger of the people was the paltry N2 million the Senator gave to the family to quell the case.
“The husband and wife killed by her convoy died left behind three young children, so the pains we are still feeling now is because of the disdainful attitude demonstrated by the Deputy Governorship candidate without considering how these young orphans would be trained and developed without their parents.” He explained.
It was gathered some officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps called to manage traffic at the scene were injured and their patrol vehicle damaged by villagers.
But Corps Commander in the state, Mathew Olonisaye, said “only our vehicle was vandalized”, adding that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy returned.
State Commissioner of Police Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, said calm has returned following fruitful negotiation for them to embrace peace, adding that the youths were on the verge of torching some vehicles in the convoy if not the timely intervention of security agencies.
