Loud Whispers

At least seven people have been reported dead at the Oku Iboku / Ikot Offiong communal crisis in the Akwa Ibom and Cross River States’ boundary.

The people of Oku Iboku and Ikot Offiong communities of Akwa Ibom state lived peacefully for more than a century though with few disagreements here and there until 2000 when the relations between the two communities got stained.

Several lives and properties have been lost as a result of the strained relations.

Various conflict resolution mechanisms have been used, nonetheless, litigation, negotiation and mediation all failed.

The war had since 2006 been in a stalemate until December when a fresh attack was launched.

Remains of a Truck that was burnt during the clash

Eye witness reports that, the warring communities got into fresh conflict when the Ikot Offiong people had attacked the Oku Iboku market women and farmers in December.

The Oku Iboku people planned and went for retaliation but it went sour for the Oku Iboku people as they were ambushed and some of the ‘fighters’ got killed.

Eye witness report added that the Ikot Offiong people had both light and heavy weapons.

Our reporters who visited the site ascertained that properties worth Millions of Naira has been lost in the fresh attacks.

 Pictures of shops, houses and filling stations razed at Head Bridge, Oku Iboku.

One of the interviewees wept bitterly as she had lost her son in the battle. “They cut off his head and he is dead” she expressed.

Some of the Oku Iboku people claimed the Cross River State government had sponsored the Ikot Offiong people and call on the Akwa Ibom State government to come to their aid.

“Information reaching us now has it that the governor of Cross River State gave the people of Ikot Offiong community 50 million Naira under the guise of rehabilitating them.

“They purchased ammunition, charms and other preparatory actions against the boundary communities of Oku Iboku of Akwa Ibom state.

“The fight is not only about farm lands but also about the oil wells around that area.

“The GOVERNMENT of AKWA IBOM STATE should please as a matter of urgency wake up to it responsibilities. The war is beyond Oku Iboku communities, though we are equal to the task,” an eye witnessed expressed.

He further added; “It is rather unfortunate that we do not have Government in Akwa Ibom state. At first it was only Oku Iboku people and some strangers that were killed. Now army men are on the list. Journalist will refuse to tell the truth as it is, rather they will choose to reframe it as ‘stray bullets’. God will judge every lair.

“Till today, more than one month and two weeks since this thing started, and people of Oku Iboku no longer go to their farms which is their civil service. It was reported to the Governor, yet till today NOTHING has been said or done to that regard. I miss Governor Attah,” One of the Oku Iboku youths added.

Nonetheless, heavy security operatives are present in the community as tons of soldiers have been dispatched from the 6 Infantry Battalion, Nigerian Army, Ibagwa.