Patrick Ekpoh
Gunmen suspected to be members of rival cult groups on Sunday attacked Inen Ikot Eteye and Ikot Inyang communities in Orukanam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state killing two persons and kidnapped one
A source which confirmed the attack in an interview with newsmen in Uyo, the state capital, said the incident occurred at about 7 pm that fateful day
According to source one of the victims identified as Okon Udo Ibanga, an operator of a drinking Joint in the area, was killed during the clash while the second victim who lived near the community market was hacked to death in the same manner.
The source said the two victims died on the spot after several gunshots were fired into their bodies adding one welder was kidnapped in the neighbouring Ikot Inyang village
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said during the clash the whole village was thrown into a panic by the gunshots leaving residents to scamper for safety.
“As I speak with you now , I ran away from my house since yesterday to hide in another village. When we heard the shootings , we knew that the” boys ” are here again.
“Before we knew it two young men were down. Right now our village is not safe for everybody. The cultists always attack rival group members but now they operate house to house every night stealing, killing and kidnapping
“The one they kidnapped in another village is a welder who was doing well in his trade but later broke and returned home . we don’t why they kidnapped him”
” There is shooting here every night and we don’t know what to do again. We live in fear. By 6pm you can’t see anybody on the road . please tell government to help us.”
The Police Public Relations Officer ,Akwa Ibom Police Command ,Nnudam Frederick who confirmed the incident disclosed that the prime suspect has been arrested
“I have just reached out to the DPO of Orukam LGA who confirmed that there was a case of robbery and cultism and one of the principal suspects has been arrested”
