Iniobong Sunday
Barely two months after killing the dreaded but notorious cult leader of the Iceland confraternity, Otobong Moses, troops of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, have followed up with the demolition of his hideout.
Our correspondent gathered that the troops carried out the demolition of the late militant’s den located in his Obon Ebot village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area “to prevent the re-convergence of other gang members after the death of their leader.”
Some jubilant local residents, who spoke with our correspondent, said the late gang leader “had kidnapped and killed over 28 people in both Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas of the State before he was killed by the military joint task force.”
Read also: Notorious Cult Leader Killed as JTF Raids Militants’ Hideout In Akwa Ibom
Commending the military for their gallantry in restoring peace to the troubled community, Comrade Uduak Effiong James, the youths,’ leader of the neighbouring Ikot Mkpporikpo village, said “socio-economic and agricultural activities are beginning to pick up in these group of villages including Obong Ntak, Omum Unyam, Udianga Enem, Ikot Unah, Ikot Ese and Okoyo.”
“When he was alive, he was a law personified; he was the defacto village head of Obon Ebot, and used to hold Court to take major decisions concerning the village including selling of community lands and harvesting the palm fruits,” he added.
In the same vein, Mr. Friday Iwok, a community leader in Etim Ekpo, blamed those he described as ‘‘desperate politicians for usually arming the youths to perpetrate violence against supposed political enemies, especially during elections’ season like this.”
He, therefore, urged security agencies to effectively monitor the security situation in Etim Ekpo, being one of the major flashpoints in every elections’ year, given the fact that Governor Udom Emmanuel had since banned no fewer than 64 cult group identified to be operating in the State.
“The politicians are the ones who used to give the late Otobong money to build the uncompleted storey building being demolished along with other houses in his camp,” he recalled.
However, Capt. Samuel Akari, the Assistant Director in-charge of Army Public Relations at 2 Brigade, had during the raid, explained that “the movie was in line with operational directive of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Akwa Ibom Government to rid criminal elements in the State.”
