Sixteen people have been killed in three-day supremacy clashes by rival cult groups involving the Klaans and the Black Axe confraternities in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. The clash was over the collection of tolls at mini bus parks in Uyo, the state capital,Leadership newspaper reported.
Six persons, checks revealed, were killed in Use Offot and 10 others killed in Anua, Ekpri Nsukara and Oniong communities, while several others have been injured.
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Most of the affected areas included the adjoining points of Idu, in Uruan local government area, where the crisis started before spreading to Use Offot, Ekpri Nsukara, and Oniong communities in Uyo LGA. The places have been deserted as property worth millions of naira were destroyed in the yet-to-be contained violence.
Leadership learnt that trouble started when the two confraternities engaged each other in a fierce fight on Sunday, over alleged encroachment into some parks earmarked for a different group to collect the parking tolls, forcing angry reaction from the opposing group.
Narrating their ordeal, Nora Iwang, a journalist and one Aniefiok Usen, both residents in Nwanibba area, the epicentre of the cult war, said they had to sleep with relations and friends outside the area, following distressed calls from frightful neighbours in Udo Ekpo Nkpo Street.
“Thank God, I finally arrived my house this morning (Tuesday) after my friends called me Monday evening to sleep elsewhere and not to return for fear of being killed by the rampaging armed hoodlums,” Iwang said.
“My wife called me at about 7:50 pm on Monday, that I should not return home because of ongoing killings around my area in Udo Ekpo Nkpo Street and the adjoining areas of Nwanibba, Ekpri Nsukara, Eniong Offot and Use Offot communities. I had to take refuge at my sister’s place off Abak road till this morning, Tuesday,” Usen said.
“Throughout these last three days, we’ve been staying indoors from 6:00pm because of the fight and the Police operatives would only mount the guard on major roads, harassing ordinary unarmed civilians without going into the villages to confront the real culprits,” another resident, who identified herself as Emem Duncan, told the Newspaper.
However, the police spokesperson, SP Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the killings, said only four people were affected.
He said, “The commissioner of police (CP), Olatoye Durosinmi, is miffed at the disruption of public order and safety by two rival cult groups at Anua Offot and Use Offot, both at Nwaniba in Uyo local government area, leading to the loss of lives.
“The CP condemned in strong terms the wanton destruction of lives and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to book, hence, he has deployed tactical resources to restore order and fish out the perpetrators.
“The CP has, therefore, called on residents of the said communities and Uyo, to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and be assured of their safety because of strategies emplaced. He has sent a clear warning to perpetrators of these dastardly acts to desist forthwith or face the dire consequences of their actions.”