The current cult war in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of Akwa Ibom State resulting in heartless killings, rapes, robbery and kidnappings of innocent persons including burnt houses and property from the areas by suspected hoodlums has now attracted the condemnations of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led state government, All Progressives Party (APC) and other individuals in the state.
Before now, the cult war that has raged for more than one year and months consuming many lives and sending countless into self-exile was generally seen as the headache of people in the two local government areas and not as state concern. Or, some bystanders see it as “sins” committed by the locals.
The lethargy in some people and government standing up to wage a final war against the emerging “monstrous virus” could be seen as relics of myopia and apathetic attitude towards the plights, sufferings and hardships of others.
Methinks, the Biblical allusion “Be your Brother’s keeper” at this crucial time looks like Hollywood film to many whose interest and paternity do not cross their path of concern.
Yet, Akwa Ibom State is predominantly Christian enclave and people of this unfeigned faith in one God should yield their members to the doctrine unmindful of denominational differences.
After the defenceless and innocent persons in those areas have wailed to high heavens for rescue, Charles Udoh, commissioner for Information and Strategy on behalf of the state government on issued a press statement on March 5.
Part of it reads “Following a few isolated cases of criminal activities recorded in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area in the last few days, which resulted in the unfortunate death of an AKTC bus driver and a few other citizens, the Akwa Ibom State Government has directed security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the quest to bring the hoodlums responsible for such dastardly acts to book.
The directive is in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel’s avowed commitment to ensuring that all nooks and crannies of the state remain largely crime free. Consequently, the Governor encourages any person or group of persons with relevant information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the culprits to contact the nearest security agency office,” the statement added.
Reacting in a Whatapps, Engr. Akanimo Edet, an indigene of Etim Ekpo described it “This is the worst press statement I have read of recent. For over two years now, we from Etim Ekpo LGA especially wards 7,8,9 and 10 bordering Ukanafun LGA have been sleeping with one eye. Killing of more than 50 innocent persons including village heads, former councillor, teachers, businessmen and women, kidnaping so numerous to count, including our present paramount ruler, the former house of Assembly member, even the father of this sitting chairman of council, village heads and so many to mention.
Edet, a commissioner in National Identity Management Commission, said “Mr. commissioner is saying ‘a few isolated cases of criminal activities.” It means the government is not away of the situation of things in Etim Ekpo in the last two years. It’s painful that on a personal note, my farm, on over 30 hectares of land had not been accessed due to activities of hoodlums. I pride as a farmer in AKS that competes in farming water melon, onions, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, Halloween pumpkin, all types of pepper, vitamin A cassava, Okoro, egg plant, tomatoes, pawpaw and coconut/ seedlings. The Hon Commissioner needs a tour of the LGA before issuing statements on citizens going about their normal business in a deserted area.”
Earlier, Emmanuel Ekon representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Constituency in the House of Representatives had issued a press statement, noting, “I am saddened by the recent killings that have taken place in some communities of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area in the last few days.
“It is quite unfortunate that Etim Ekpo which is known to be one of the most peaceful local government areas in Akwa Ibom State has been turned into a theater of war by some hoodlums for whatever reasons.
“My heart bleeds for those innocent people whose lives have been cut short in their prime by these enemies of progress. I sympathize with the families that have lost their loved ones and I pray that God would give them the fortitude to bear their losses.
This is no longer funny and we should not fold our arms and allow the killings, robberies, rapes and kidnappings to be swept under the carpet. It is time to speak out. All hands must be on deck to flush out the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”
The lawmaker said,“I call on the Police, DSS, the Army and other relevant security agencies in the country to step up their operations and put a stop to these incessant killings, rapes, kidnapping, robberies that have sacked many communities in the local government area. Records available show that almost all public and private schools around the Communities especially Ward 8 have been closed down while operators of small scale businesses in the area have escaped for their dear lives.
“Late last year, I raised an alarm about the presence of cult groups in Etim Ekpo but the matter was over politicized and the result is what we are witnessing today. Cultists taking over our land and decimating us at will. This is unacceptable and I urge all well- meaning indigenes of Etim Ekpo at home and in the diaspora to rise up and condemn this criminality in its entirety.
“I also appeal to the good people of Etim Ekpo especially the affected communities to remain calm and ensure that they do not engage the hoodlums in reprisal attack because no one knows what their real intentions are. Rather, we should give maximum co-operation to the law enforcement agencies by volunteering information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of these criminal elements,” Ekon added.
However, on March 8, this year, Edet Eyo Bassey, the state Publicity Secretary of APC issued a similar statement which states inter alia “The All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, is saddened and worried by the unending orgy of violence, kidnappings and killings that have continued unabated in Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika Local Government Areas of the state in the last two years. Reports have it that over 100 people have been killed by rival cult groups allegedly used by the PDP in the last general elections to perpetrate electoral fraud and who now feel abandoned by the politicians. Thousands have been displaced as refugees and are in habitation at internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp.
The statement recalled “Wednesday February 28, 2018, a commercial bus driver with Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation (AKTC), Mr Nsikak Udokang was burnt to ashes along with his bus by suspected cultists along Etim Ekpo-Iwukem-Abak road. The passengers were robbed and the females abducted. Reporting from Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Ofonime Honesty, a journalist and social affairs commentator wrote; “Raging fire of insecurity has engulfed places like Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Ika Local Government Areas of the state while we pretend that all is well”.
It could be decoded that since the suspected hoodlums burnt AKTC bus with driver and three passengers including abducting two spinsters, our brothers and sisters woke up from their slumber to condemn the heinous crime.
It is rather appalling and unfortunate that the government and opposition party in the state would have waited so long to have come out with press statements condemning the atrocities wrecked by the hoodlums.
Though the act is sympathetic and condemnable, why did we wait for too long to voice out against crimes committed against humanity?
Since the beginning of the conundrum, how many of those issuing press statements have visited the areas and even the internally displaced persons? The conclusion on some quarters is that it is a political problem, some daub it political crisis. Since it is a political crisis, let the innocent who are not politicians suffer. No qualms!
It is illusory for some people who rarely to think that the two troubled areas are inconsequential to other people. What about road users? Ikot Ubo-Ekparakwa-Ikot Akpa Nkuk-Iwukem Federal road leading to Aba and Port Harcourt and Abak-Etim Ekpo-Iwukem Federal road still bursting into Aba and Port Harcourt are two major, pliable arteries of transportation between Akwa Ibom and Abia/Rivers states. Other major inter-routes linking the state with others are in deplorable state.
When political crisis erupted in Ika local government area 18 years ago, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, the erstwhile deputy governor visited the area and saw the mayhem by himself.
Since the crisis in theses areas, has Moses Ekpo, the state deputy governor and chairman of state Emergency Management Committee visited the affected areas? Or, is it not important for him to visit the areas, condole with the victims and return home to better inform the government on how to abate it?
Before the December 2 local government elections last year, Governor Udom Emmanuel worshiped at Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Akpa Nkuk in Ukanafun perhaps to sensitise the masses to brace up for the elections. This was seen as a ploy to ginger the electorate to return PDP to power. It was not a condolence visit to assuage the feelings and cushion the hardships of the victims occasioned the horrendous crimes pervading Ukanafun with attendant spill-over effects to neighbouring villages.
Straightnews appreciates Akwa Ibom Police Command, officilas of Department of State Secuiryt (DSS), the military and other security operatives for regularly combing the areas and ferreting out the hoodlums to face the law.
It is hoped with cooperation of people in the areas particularly politicians who always think of the next election, the cult war will be fought and won and the affected local government areas will come out of labyrinth.
