At least seven people are feared dead and five declared missing over a land dispute between Enwang and Uko-Nteghe in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Two of those killed, were from neighbouring communities of Ofi and Akprakpran respectively. They were said to be going to Ibaka, another neighbouring community, when they were ambushed and killed by one of the warring communities.
Also, a youth identified simply as Ekuwem from Orukim Uda community was also said to have been abducted by youths suspected to be from Enwang and has not been seen since January 4 when the crisis erupted.
Apart from the casualties, Enwang and Uko-Nteghe communities’ lost properties worth millions of naira.
According to The PUNCH, no fewer than 37 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries with eight of them under critical condition.
A victim from Uko-Nteghe, Nse Ntuen, said Enwang youths invaded Uko-Nteghe with some people in army uniform, overran the community and destroyed everything in sight.
“Enwang youths took us by surprise. The soldiers they came with, we thought were for peaceful mission. Before we knew it, there was wanton destruction in our community,” Ntuen said.
Another victim from Enwang, Mr. Etim Edet, said he came back to meet his home vandalized, adding that he had since abandoned home.
He said, “I was not around when youths from Uko-Nteghe entered Enwang and started killing people, destroying houses. I only came back to see my house vandalized.
“All of us from this area have left our community for fear of attack from Uko-Nteghe.”
A community leader in Uko-Nteghe, Mr. Etim Effiong, said the matter was a long standing dispute, adding the crisis was actually a problem between two families in Uko-Nteghe and Enwang.
A source at Mbo Police Division who craved anonymity, said the police tried to bring the situation under control but were hampered by lack of enough personnel and firearms.
“Joint task forces have been deployed in the two affected communities to assist us. You can see them around; we can assure the indigenes of full protection,” he said.