The people of Ikot Obio Offong in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area of Akwa Ibom State are living in fear of their neighbors from Ikot Ekwere village who allegedly attacked them over a protracted land dispute.
Speaking to newsmen at the palace of the Village Head of Ikot Obio Offong, one of the family heads chief Sunday Etim Nyong said on 27th April 2022 at about 12:00 pm, some youths from Ikot Ekwere village numbering over 200 invaded the village chanting war songs with several gunshots.
Nyong said the hoodlums were also chanting slogans of different cult groups such as “lion!”, “bargo” challenges the people of Ikot Obio Offong to come out for a fight.
He said the youths suspected to have come from Ikot Ekwere village entered the village from the first house and invaded different compounds, breaking house window glasses, burned down houses and motor cars parked in the compound and set one house on fire.
“They looted some household properties such as TV sets, stole money in many houses, rape women, and burnt down one house completely while we escaped into the bush,” Nyong said.
“They also burnt down one Toyota Camry car belonging to the son of the village head Christopher Ephraim and wounded many people in the compound.”
Nyong noted that over 20 houses were burnt down while domestic animals, money, and other belongings were carted away.
He explained that what surprised the people was that after reporting the matter to the police at Ibesikpo Asutan police division who later came for inspection, the hoodlums reinforced and return for another attack in broad daylight the following day.
The family head stated that the police from the state headquarters also reinforced in about five Hilux vehicles to rescue residents of Ikot Obio Offong.