Worried by increased militancy and in effort to restore peace to the affected communities, Akwa Ibom Police Command has given aggrieved youths in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of the Nigeria’s 21st state a five-day grace to surrender arms and embrace peace.
However, this gesture has erased the thoughts erroneously held by some people that government has fully restored peace and normalcy to the two local government areas enmeshed in the protracted crisis.
Recall that gunmen suspected to be militants on Tuesday, September 18 shot dead a middle- aged commercial driver popularly known as Benco at Ikot Andem village along Ukanafun- Ekparakwa Federal Highway and dispossessed several passengers in the vehicle of their belongings.
Unfortunately, public schools that reopened in other parts of Akwa Ibom State on Monday, September 17 for the 2018/2019 school calendar are yet to reopen in the deserted communities of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun.
As a way out of the crisis, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the state Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State appealed to the aggrieved youths to surrender their arms to government to allow peace return to the areas.
He stated “Consequent upon the ongoing dialogue for peace, and in furtherance to Government’s determination to ensure lasting security in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas of the State, the Akwa Ibom Police Command is hereby calling on the aggrieved youths of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”
In a press release issued on Friday for the Commissioner, DSP Odiko Macdon, Police Public Relations Officer, said “The said aggrieved youths are hereby enjoined to assemble at Central School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun, from Saturday, 22nd September to Wednesday, 26th September, 2018 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily for surrendering of arms and documentation.
“It is hoped that this gesture will lead to complete reconciliation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the aggrieved youths and pave the way for the government to develop the affected communities.”
