Here Is The Real Cause Of The Bloody Crisis Between Ilaje Residents And Akwa Ibom Indigenes

With scores of people killed and milions naira worth of properties already damaged, the ongoing feud between the Yoruba residents and indigenes of Mkpanak in Ibeno Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State does not seem be ending anytime soon except for a quick intervention of government.

Already, Ilaje people who are mostly affected by the conflict are said to be fleeing the community through bush paths to other save locations while their houses and tents are reportedly looted and destroyed by the hoodlums.

The incident was allegedly caused by the cult clash between two rival groups. During the mayhem, an indigene of the community was reportedly stabbbed to death which consequesntly triggered a full-blown communal war, leading to killing, looting and destruction of properties in the community.

A Yoruba man living in Akwa Ibom state, Oluwajuwon Ogunbiyi, who confirmed the incident described the situation as unfortunate and called on the state government to set up a committee to investigate the crisis.

“It is quite unfortunate that this crisis has led to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties.The Ibeno community had been a good host over the decades to both indigenes and non indigenes have been living there in harmony without rancour,” Ogunbiyi said.

“I’ m therefore using this medium to appeal for peace and an end to hostilities from both warring parties. I also want to call on the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as well as Head of all security agencies in the state to intervene in the matter immediately in order to stem down this waves of violence.

“The state government must as a matter of urgency set up a committee to look into this crisis so as to ascertain the major cause. Perpetrators fanning the embers of war on both sides must be arrested immediately”.