- A violent clash between a local government in Akwa Ibom state and another in Cross River state has reportedly led to death of over 20 people
- Soldiers stationed in the area reportedly fled for safety as attackers opened fire on innocent citizens
A violent clash erupted between Oku-Iboku, Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom and Ikot Offiong community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State.
Hoodlums from Ikot Offiong reportedly attacked Oku-Iboku over the weekend and no less than twenty people have lost their lives.
NAIJ.com learnt that the attackers came with machine guns mounted on speed boats and killed several innocent citizens while the soldiers in the area ran into the bush for safety.
A native of Oku Iboku, Dr. Demson Ekong, told newsmen on Sunday, April 23, in Uyo that some of those killed included women and children, Daily Post reports.
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Ekong said: “Ikot Offiong people and those Cross River State Government hired to exterminate us came to our area, and killed many fishermen, women and girls who were returning from farms.
”We are still recovering the corpses, but as at yesterday (Saturday), we recovered nine, excluding those killed on Friday.
“They mounted machine guns on their speed boats and shot sporadically at their targets.
”The soldiers guarding the border between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, escaped for their lives.
”It was after some hours that they called for reinforcement and during the time of military reinforcement, the boys were still firing for over 30 minutes before they finally fled.
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“Apart from those killed, they also took away seven persons alive to a fishing settlement near Ibom Le’ Meridien Hotel in Uruan Local Government Area and burnt down the entire settlement.
”Three of the boys dived into the river and escaped to a village in Uruan community, where they were shown the way back to Oku Iboku.’’
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has declared a N10million reward for the arrest of Terwase Akwaza over the killings in Zaki Biam.
The police says Akwaza was responsible for the deaths of 67 people in the recent massacre.
In a statement by police spokesman CSP Jimoh O. Moshood and posted by PR Nigeria late on Friday, April 21, the force said Akwaza aka Ghana, an indigene of Katsina-Ala is wanted for many crimes.
