Many Feared Dead In Akwa-Ibom Cult Clash

Suspected cultists have reportedly killed one person and injured a police inspector during a rival cult clash in the Ikot Inen community in OrukAnam local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

The cult clash on Saturday between Debam and Iceland confraternities is one in a series of confrontations, which have claimed scores in the community while residents live in morbid fear.

The Nation learned the hoodlums attacked and killed one ‘Udo Mma’ while the retired police inspector simply is known as Okon Josiah was seriously wounded in his compound at Inen Ikot Ndoh for always advocating for peace in the community.

An eyewitness, Udo Jim, said the retired police officer was worried by the rate of insecurity and wanton killings occasioned by cult clashes in his village and decided to penetrate the rival cult groups begging them to stop further hostilities.

” Inspector Okon begged the cultists for three weeks pleading with them to stop killings and all forms of terrorism as he can not run away from the area considering his health conditions.

“But instead of the cultists to hearken to his pleas, they decided to maim him last weekend after they have killed one person.

“When the hoodlums arrived the policeman’s compound, family members ran away but the victim could not escape because he has a stroke. So they gave several matchet blows .”

He said the hoodlums also injured other persons in the village receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Narrating the incident, another eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, said the cultists moved in motorcycle convoy to the next village, chanting war songs injuring many people while others escaped into the bush and returned the following morning to pack their belongings to take refuge elsewhere.

“So many people did not sleep in their houses last night for fear of the cultists. The village has deserted by all. Who knows what they would do as many have run away. They may even burn down the entire village.

“Today being Sunday, no Church has conducted worship service in this community because of this incident and other ones that happened in the past .”
In a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer SP Odiko Mcdon confirmed the incident saying three persons have arrested.

The police spokesman said the commissioner of police Andrew Amiengheme has ordered an urgent investigation to unravel the cause of cult clashes in the area which resulted in wanton killings.

” Right now operations have commenced in the area to comb for those behind these killings. Operations are intensified more than before to end killings there.

“The Commissioner of Police intends to engage stakeholders in this exercise for the credible result as the command is very angry that people have turned to hunt spree for human lives,” he said.