A widow, Mrs Immaculate Sampson Akpan, whose husband was murdered with his head severed by armed hoodlums who invaded the village of Ndito Eka Iba, in Ibeno from the neighbouring Eket, has cried out for help.
The attack on Ndito Eka Iba village in Ibeno LGA by neighboring Eket people is the fourth since the attempt by former governor Udom Emmanuel to remap Akwa Ibom State. The case is still in court.
The widow told journalists at the weekend that her late husband, from Eket LGA, resided in the coastal community of Ndito Eka Iba in Ibeno, where he engages in his fishing business. She added that they lived peacefully in the village for several years without any problem.
Mrs Akpan explained that the attack on the fishing community on Christmas Eve – December 24, 2024 – has left a huge scar on the Ndito Eka Iba village, after the invaders from Eket launched arson attacks on homes, destroying churches, several boats with outboard engines, cars, motorcycles and other valuables including fishing gears.
The mother of four stated that the sad incident did not only cost the life of her husband but several children have been missing, as their whereabouts remain unknown till today.
She narrated, “Before the attack, the invaders had attempted to host a festival to herald the Christmas Day, but instead of using the village name of Ndito Eka Iba, which is Unit 6 Ward 10 and a gazetted village in Ibeno LGA, instead they used the name Okoiyak Ekid, to reflect their Eket identity.
“They claimed that Ndito Eka Iba village in Ibeno LGA is no longer belonging to Ibeno LGA, but Eket LGA.
“Because of this, the youths of Ndito Eka Iba village approached them and advised them against such plans to alter the original name, but they instead threatened war, which they (the Eket people) later launched late that night, forcing people to escape into the dark shrubs where they spent the night before emerging in the morning to seek refuge in safer locations.
“I relocated to my village – Odio in Eket LGA – after my husband was killed and his remains buried in shallow grave without his head, which was severed from the rest of his body and taken away by the attackers.
“I have been dislocated from where I used to struggle to fend for my four children, trading in fish, crayfish and other seafoods like periwinkles, prawns and others.”
Appealing to concerned authorities including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), churches, individuals and corporate organisations for relief materials for her and other displaced victims, Mrs Akpan, lamented that it has become too difficult to feed and clothe her four children in a new location without job or bussiness.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, said the suspects arrested over the attack are still in custody.
“Investigations on the case had since been concluded and the suspects charged to court,” he added, assuring that no one has any right to interfere in the matter.
“I take full responsibility over the case, and I have spoken with the investigative officer who told me that the matter had already been charged to court,” the CP stressed.