Two Feared Dead, Village Head Flee As Cultists Sack Community

Stakeholders move to stop cult wars, others in Edo

Two persons were reportedly killed when suspected cultists sacked Udianga Enem community in Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

The village head, Chief Mendie Josiah Udoekoriko, our correspondent gathered, also fled due to the renewed war between Iceland and Debam cult groups.

According to The Nation, suspected cultists killed a Pastor few years ago in the village, which prompted Governor Udom Emmanuel to offer amnesty to the hoodlums.

The latest incident, it was gathered, occurred Monday night, when rival cult group said to be of the Iceland group allegedly led by one Oto from Obon Ebot, stormed the Udianga Enem community to retrieve stolen items.

The items were allegedly seized by the opposing gang in the nearby community of Obong Ntak.

Efforts to speak with the Udianga Enem village youths’ President, Udeme John, failed as his line was switched off.

But a member of the Udianga Enem community youths association, who would not want his name mentioned, said the invaders led by the Iceland leader, “came for a truce with the other group, Debam, led by one Angel Boy’ with a view to recovering those properties through negotiation.

“But unfortunately, scuffle ensued, leading to the death of one person while others fled.”

He said the resurgence of gun violence has forced people to abandon their farms and flee.

He said: “We could not report the matter to the Police at the Area Command because the village head who would have coordinated the process immediately fled his throne.”

However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Odiko Macdon, a Police Superintendent (SP) assured “full scale investigation will begin as soon as the Etim Ekpo Area Command gives details”.

He urged members of the society to be law abiding and report any act of crime in good time for the Police to nib such crisis in the bud.

Besides, he warned hoodlums in the habit of taking the laws into their hands to desist or face the fire-power of Police operatives, saying “no one should cash in on the peaceful nature of the state to perpetrate evils.