In an action that wore the semblance of political rascality and retaliation, some men of Nigeria Police Force in Etim Ekpo local government of Akwa Ibom State allegedly assaulted some people in the area, resulting in incessant arrests and destruction of properties worth thousands of naira.
The purported action of the security operatives seemingly whittled down the efforts of Governor Udom Emmanuel in setting up peace and reconciliation committee to dismantle the walls of cult war as a mean of returning peace to the besieged area.
Straightnews gathered that shortly after the governor’s visit, some policemen from Ikot Ebo Division in the area led by one Mr. Okere, the DPO in collaboration with other policemen from State Police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, allegedly invaded the houses of one Isong Uduak Effiong from Uruk Eshiet village, a former supervisor in the council and one Saviour Smith from Ntak Inyang village.
“In the process, the law enforcement agents were said to have purportedly destroyed properties worth thousands of naira in a failed attempt to arrest them,” a source said.
It was further learnt that the police had earlier arrested Ubong Sunday Harry and Ukpono Sunday Harry, both from Ntak Inyang village. The Police were also said to have arrested one Mfon Michael Urom, the youth president of Atan Village.
The arrests, Straightnews gathered were said to be based on allegation of an assault reported to the police by one Etiedu Ukpong, a civil servant working in the State Ministry of Science and Technology.
Ukpong said to be sponsored by some selfish politician from the area was said to have earlier flooded the internet and social media with obnoxious allegations against political leaders from Etim Ekpo under the pretext of fighting for the youths and had equally called on youths to be ready for war.
Speaking with one of the residents in the area, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan said the arrest of peace loving youths if not checked, could fuel further crisis, stressing that the police hasty arrest of the youths and the allegation by Professor Amana Udo, the Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo could have been resolved amicably.
Akpan who wondered why the issue of an alleged assault which could be resolved by the monarch is now over blown by the Police through incessant arrest and destruction of properties in an area that is facing serious security challenges.
Akpan expressed the fear that the action of the Police based on the instruction of the said selfish politician to frame up innocent youths on allegation of involvement in cult activities and attempted murder is a desperate bid to cow supporters of an aspirant who enjoys the goodwill of Etim Ekpo people.
He, therefore, called for intervention of political stakeholders in the area to prevent further crisis.
Another resident of the area who pleaded anonymity for fear of being arrested by the police on the orders of the desperate politician, stated that a senior retired Police Officer from the area who staged a walk-out in a recent Etim Ekpo PDP Elders Forum meeting to protest unanimous adoption of a popular aspirant in the forth-coming 2019 general elections is said to be responsible for the arrest of the innocent youths who are currently being held in Police custody and as well as for the destruction of the properties.
Straightnews learnt that apart from those already arrested by the Police, about 15 more persons have been listed for arrest, thus fueling further tension in the already volatile area.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the council chairman, Mr. Udeme Eduo to comment on the incident, proved abortive as he failed to take several calls made or reply text message sent to him.
When contacted, DSP Odiko MacDon, the State Police Public Relations Officer, said he was not aware of the arrests.
Macdon, however, promised to reach out to our correspondent once he gets clue of the incident. At as the time of filing this report, he did not report as promised.
