By Some Ogenyi, Uyo
Two persons we’re yesterday killed while another one has been kidnapped in a renewed cult clash between Debam and Iceland confraternities in Inen Ikot Eteye and Ikot Inyang villages , Inen community in Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
It was gathered that the attack which occurred at 7pm on Sunday claimed one Ubong Ibanga who operates drinking joint opposite the village primary school in the area.
An eye witness Mr Nse Udo said the second victim who lived near the community market square popularly known as Urua idung Okuwa was hacked by the same squad that killed the drinking joint operator and escaped with the corpse.
Nse who did not disclosed the name of the second victim explained that they died on the spot after several gunshots that pierced their skull and belly as they were left on the pool of their blood.
He said the same gang escaped to the neighboring village in Ikot Inyang where one welder was kidnapped.
Another eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said there was panic in the community after a series of sporadic gunshots that made residents to fleet to from their homes for safety.
“As I speak with you now , I ran away from my house since yesterday to hide in another village. When we heard the shootings , we knew that the boys are here again.
“Before we knew it two young men were down. I packed few things like a pregnant woman carrying her emergency bag with my family and ran away to this place now
” I don’t know when I would return home. Our village is not safe for everybody. The cultists always attack rival group members but now they operate house to house every night stealing ,killing and kidnapped.
” The one they kidnapped in another village is a welder who was doing well in his trade but later became broke and returned home . We don’t know why they kidnapped him.” He narrated.
He said since the killing of the chief security officer of the road construction company in the area the community last month, residents of the area have been living in fear.
He said the police took away one of the corpses last night while the corpse of the other was not found.
In a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer ,Akwa Ibom Police Command , CSP Nnudam Frederick said the matter has not been reported by the DPO of Oruk Anam local government area where the incident occurred.
“As a matter of fact I had a meeting with all the Divisional Police Officers ( DPO) from the 31 council areas of Akwa Ibom State this morning but the DPO of Oruk Anam never briefed me on the incident.
” Thank you very much for the information I would call the DPO now for details.” Fredrick said .
