■ No life was lost – A/Ibom PPRO
From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Several people were feared killed yesterday at the Akwa Ibom/Cross River boundary when a violent clash broke out between the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State and their neighbours in Oku Iboku, Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
A native of Ikot Ada Akpan, Dr. Demson Ekong, who said he witnessed the mayhem told Sunday Sun that many people were killed by the attackers from Ikot Offiong, who besieged Oku Iboku community. He said that they came in six speedboats and began shooting at the fishermen before military and Mobile police personnel patrolling the area swiftly repelled the attack.
“There was a serious attack on Oku-Iboku this morning. The attackers came in six speedboats, but were repelled by the military men on patrol. Some fishermen were killed but the actual number of casualties has not yet been determined,” Ekong said.
But the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr Chukwu Ikechukwu, (DSP), who confirmed the attack however stressed that no life was lost.
“No death was recorded. What I know is that the youths from Ikot Offiong went to Ikot Ada Akpan community again and opened fire on the people and went back,” he said.
His Cross River State counterpart, Irene Ugbo told our correspondent on the telephone that Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa met with Odukpani community leaders and youths yesterday, and warned them to desist from fomenting trouble in the area again.
Ugbo could not confirm whether the attackers were actually from Ikot Offiong.
Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel had visited the area last Sunday to equally caution the youths to be law abiding, while the government was working on finding lasting peace to the age-long communal dispute involving the communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.