Newer than five persons from Uko Akpan community in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have allegedly been killed following renewed hostilities over land between them and their Uko Ntenghe neighbours.
Seven persons were also said to have been injured with the clan head of the area Chief Bassey Atabia also missing as the lingering dispute rekindled this week.
It was gathered that armed youths from Uko Ntenghe reportedly invaded Uko Akpan farmland and raped a woman who they also took hostage.
Another set of armed youths were also said to have sneaked into Uko Akpan in Enwang, the headquarters of the local government and killed five persons.
Eye witnesses told newsmen yesterday that the armed youths shot sporadically sending residents running for their lives even as they also burnt down two houses and several cars in the village, which is now deserted.
The whereabouts of the clan head, is not yet known, while one of his sons is said to have been among those injured by the militants.
A youth leader, Michael Etim, while narrating the incident, appealed to the state government and security agencies to step into the dicey situation and restore calm in the area.
“ This is a matter of life and death. Those in the village are not safe.” Etim lamented.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, an indigene of the local government area could not be reached as at press time.
The State Police Command said they were on top of the situation, but the Enwang community has called for reinforcement from other sister security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon, a Superintendent of Police said, “we are on it. Our men are on the ground there.”
