A compendium of carnages and arsons perpetrated in Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom State by suspected secret cultists for more than three years have been released by a non-profit organisation and internet forum- Townhall Platform.
Anchored by Ufok Ibekwe, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer and activist, the platform devoted to human abuses shows that many persons have been killed, property worth N100 million destroyed and ransoms collected by the suspected hoodlums put at N50 million.
Ibekwe also an indigene of Ukanafun said “For almost two years the ICELAND CULT CONFRATERNITY ruled the streets and jungles as invincible gods. Havocs ranging from kidnapping for ransom, robberies, rapes, assassinations, killings and destruction of valuable properties were unleashed against the land. The land became a ‘Republic of Fear,’ and its citizens coiled up as prisoners in their homes.”
The platform noted that “It was like a replay of Thomas Hobbes’s ‘the state of nature’, where life was short brutal and brief. The people groaned in agony daily scratching their troubled brows in dumbfounded fate. Many abandoned their homes and fled to nearby towns like Abak, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene, among others while those who had no place to relocate to stay behind trusting in God alone as their shield and buckler.
“Commercial activities in the places came to a grinding halt after major markets razed with goods in lock-up shops burnt to ashes. The land was at its precipice as the hoodlum in 2018 went totally berserk after the killing of their leader, Iso Akpafid. Their new leader named Stainless adopted the scorpion rule and was very vitriolic in his operations.”
The platform reeled out names of persons assassinated, kidnapped and killed in Ukanafun during the said period to include:
(1) Obong Okon Uwah, a one-time Deputy Speaker of AKHA—Assassinated at Nkek
(2) Engr. Albert Ukpanah, a one-time Vice Chairman of PDP, Ukanafun Chapter—Assassinated in his house in Abak
(3) Obong Ime Atakpa, Secretary of Ukanafun Transition Committee—Assassinated
(4) Elder (Dr) Idongesit D. Udom—kidnapped, right hand amputated, ransom paid
(5) Bar. Mfon Etukudo—Killed in his house
(6) Apostle Usen Mark.Ibekwe –Kidnapped and released after collection of ransom
(7) Rev Mfon Udonneke—Kidnapped and released after collection of ransom
(8) Hon Udo Ekpenyong’s sister—Killed at Ikot Oku Usung
(9) Mr. Paragi from Nkek—Killed at Nkek
(10) V/P, Secondary School, Nkek—Killed at Nkek
(11) Ekponudim N. Akpanudo–kidnapped at Nto Okon and released after collecting ransom.
(12) Namkere James Umoh—Killed in Ikot Akpa Idem
(13) Akpan Assiek market—–Razed down by the hoodlums
(14) wife of EFICO, an INEC staff from Ikot Inyang Abia, kidnapped and ransom paid
(15) Deaconess Nseobong Okon Monday– Kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(16) Monday Johnson Udoudo–kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(17) Rufus Tommy—Killed
(18) Mr. Ime Nkwo—Killed
(19) Unyime Urom — Killed
(20) Mrs Etiowo Sampson–Wife to Hon.Otobong Akpan’s uncle kidnapped in Ikot Udo Mbang and released after collecting hefty ransom
(21) Mrs. Okon Uwoh—- kidnapped and released after collecting ransom ,
(22) Mr. Philip of Ikot Akpa idem — kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(23) Mr. Alex of Ikot Apaidem — Kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(24) Mr Macaulay Udo Udo of Idung Nneke– kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(25) Mrs. Nse Akpanakpan — kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(25) Henry Udo Harry Ikot Akpan Afaha– kidnapped and released after collecting ransom
(26) Mr. Essien Jackson Udoekpo of Idung Nneke– killed at the kidnappers’ den
(27) Udeme Nelson of Nkek–Killed
(28) Samuel Mark of Ikot Akpa Idem– Killed
(29) Chief Johnson Rufus of Okoyo —Killed
(30) Aniekan Dick Udofia of Okoyo—-Killed
(31) Enobong Akpakpan— Killed in Okoyo
(32) Mr. Uyo of Ikot Akpa Idem—Killed on 2/12/2017
(33) Mr. Harry Nkok (headmaster) –Money extorted from him after being served with threat letter
(34) Mr Aniefiok Stephen Ebebe and his daughter, madu Aniefiok Stephen from Ikot Ndot Afaha Obo were kidnapped and released after payment of ransom
(35) Iniobong Sandy Udoudo – Ikot Inyang Abia (Kidnapped for a week and N205,000 ransom was paid
(36) Temple Thompson Nnah from Odoro Ikot was kidnapped and later released after collecting ransom
(37) Between Odoro Ikot village and Ikot Owure village on April 1, four motorcycles, generator and other valuables were carted away at gun point by the bandits
(38) Mr. Christopher Uko of Ikot Udo Obobo — Killed after a letter of threat
(39) Mr. John Akpan Eshiet–Killed in Nkek
(40) Godswill Jacob Umoette– Kidnapped and released after payment of ransom
(41) Mrs Aritha Abasiubong Ekanem- Kidnapped on 18-3-2018 and shot on her leg now lying critically ill in the hospital
(42) Mr Uduak Jacobson (Ikekwu’s) house was burnt down in Ikot Ndot Afaha Obo
(43) Ufot John Mendie- Kidnapped and released after collection of hefty ransom
(44) Doris Benson on the 6th of April the bandits burnt down her a five-room store with goods inside at Anwa Uyo junction, Ikot Udo Obobo
(45) Elder Eno David Thomas of Ikot Akpa Idem- Killed in April 2018
(46) Mr Imo Festus Edoetuk of Ikot Akpa Idem- Killed in April 2018
(47) Mr Aniefiok Willie Isonguyo of Ikot Akpa Idem robbed on March 2018 at Usung Atiat and his motorcycle and his two months salary snatched from him by the hoodlums
(48) Ime Ukpong from Ikot Anta – Two motor cycles were robbed and cash collected
(49) Hon. Aniefiok Mfiokko – Three generators and a motor cycle were burnt
(50) Udeme Idiong—Huge amount paid based on threat to life
(51) Saturday Mendie—Huge sum of money extorted by the suspected criminals based on threat to life
(52) Udo Wilson—Paid money to the hoodlums based on threat to life
The list, however, is inexhaustible.
The forum, therefore, appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to visit some of the affected communities, address the people and commiserate with the bereaved families that might have lost their loved ones or properties during the crisis.
According to the body “Some of the kidnap victims particularly women who were sexually abused and are still suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) requiring serious medical attention, while many other families that their bread winners were killed yet still grappling with life without them.”
It also called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies in the state and abroad to come to the aid of the victims of the cult war to enable them return to normal life.
For sponsorship, advert placement or coverage of your news-worthy events, call: 08101195095
