Renewed communal clashes claim seven, others in A’ibom
NO fewer than seven persons have been reportedly killed in renewed attacks on the people of Ikpanya Clan in Ibiono Ibom Council of Akwa Ibom State from their Arochukwu, Abia State neighbours over a disputed piece of land.
The Guardian recalled that there have been incessant attacks in the disputed land, especially during the farming season.
Narrating their ordeal, Clan Head of Ikpanya, Chief Isaac Onosin, who had taken refuge in a nearby community, said: “The attack has to do with years of clashes Ikpanya has been having from its Arochukwu neighbours over a parcel of land. “Seven persons have been killed, six houses burnt and four persons missing. The attackers also inflicted pains on a female member of the community who was ganged raped.”
He described the incident as unfortunate as such has created untold hardship onto his subjects.
“Ikpanya shares boundary with eight villages of Arochukwu, but the incessant crisis is always with the
Ugbo people. The attack has always been during the farming season. The Ugbo people attack our people on their farms. They beat our women, chase them away and pack their palm fruits.
“They have continued to trouble our people every year and on March 8, 2021, when my people went to cut palm fruits, the Ugbo people attacked them and burnt the palm fruits. “Three boys and a girl were arrested and kept in their village square and I had to call the divisional police officer ( DPO) in Ibiono Ibom Council to inform him about what happened,” he said.
He explained that similar efforts were made to reach the DPO of Arochukwu, after which those arrested were released after obtaining statements from them, adding that the pictures of their injuries were taken before they were taken for treatment.
Onosin alleged that the Ibiono Ibom Council was not committed to the crisis in Ikpanya, saying he reported the matter to the chairman of the council, but nothing was done.
He urged the state government to assist victims of the clash by providing them relief materials.
MEANWHILE, representative of Ibiono Ibom in the state House of Assembly, Godwin Ekpo reported the attack to the lawmakers, lamenting the killings and destruction in Ikpanya by the Ugbo village in Arochwkwu, Abia State. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Odiko Macdon, said the Command was aware of the attack, saying the matter was under control.