Following communal skirmishes, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has issued a stern warning to the Transition Chairmen of the affected local government areas: maintain peace in your domain or be sacked.
For weeks now, some warring communities in Eket, Esit Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State have been engulfed in communal clash that has degenerated into loss of lives, properties and displacement of many residents of the affected communities.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, on Saturday, said the Governor made the remarks when he visited the centre of the communal clash for an assessment of the extent of damage that occurred in the area.
He also reminded them that Stubb Creek, which was the bone of contention, never belonged to any of them but rather to the state government which has mapped it as a forest reserve.
The reserve is a dense mangrove forest believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits housing the multi-billion Dollar Qua Iboe Terminal, the operational base of ExxonMobil in Akwa Ibom.
Hear him, “I have credible intelligence on those who are sponsoring our young people to go out and cause this mayhem.
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“After this warning today, if this happens again, I can assure you that the government will call you out, pick you up and you will face the penalty squarely.
“The two communities are united in so many ways. There is a high level of intermarriages between yourselves, and I do not see any reason for these repeated clashes. By the grace of God, we are determined to put an end to this problem.
“I want to say this to the chairmen of the three local government councils: You have the responsibility to maintain law and order in your respective domains. If any of this should happen again in your domains, you know you are transition chairmen; I will remove you immediately and I promise you, I will!
“Stubbs Creek, I want to state emphatically, belongs to neither Eket, Esit Eket nor Ibeno. It is a forest reserve which belongs to the government.
“Since 1930, I have seen all the gazettes, even that of 1966 till date. So those who have gone in there have essentially been encroaching on the government’s land and this must stop today.
“I have directed the Ministry of Lands to come up with the entire plan and we will soon issue a proclamation on it.
“Government needs Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve as a source of carbon credits, which ultimately will provide jobs for the youths of these areas.”
The Governor said he had evacuated 16 injured persons in the crisis to the hospital, adding that he drafted security personnel to cordon off the area and warned those who may want to reignite the crisis to beware.
“I want to say this to the chairmen of the three local government councils: You have the responsibility to maintain law and order in your respective domains.
“If any of this should happen again in your domains, you know you are transition chairmen; I will remove you immediately and I promise you, I will!” he said.
Accompanied by Service Commanders of the various security agencies, stakeholders from the affected areas, he directed those responsible for the unnecessary wanton destruction to cease and desist as he had credible intelligence on their activities.
“I have credible intelligence on those who are sponsoring our young people to go out and cause this mayhem.
“After this warning today, if this happens again, I can assure you that government will call you out, pick you up and you will face the penalty squarely.
“So, I want to appeal to our political gladiators to stop taking sides and fanning the embers of disunity. We are leaders and we cannot be sponsoring young people to take the laws into their hands. We will not allow it,” he stated.
‘‘Security agencies will continue to ensure there is law and order. They have the directive to confront any group that may want to start this problem again.
“They are going to be stationed here and they will not be lenient with anyone who breaks the law. The law will certainly take its course. We must have communities that are governed by law; so please be warned.”
The Governor reminded the people of their filial and communal ties and threatened to sack transition committee chairmen of the warring councils of they fail to instill peace in their councils.
“The two communities are united in so many ways. There is high level of inter-marriages between yourselves, and I do not see any reason for these repeated clashes. By the grace of God, we are determined to put an end to this problem.
On the issue of the new map for the state, Governor Eno begged for understanding as the case is still in court.
