A’Ibom community condemns attack on UERL

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Unyenge community in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has condemned last Thursday’s attack on workers of Universal Energy Resources Limited, describing it as unacceptable and unpatriotic.

The community while distancing itself from the attack, also called for a discreet investigation into the incident to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

It was gathered that unknown gunmen suspected to be militants in the early hours of January 20, 2022, planted dynamites along the road leading to the UERL.

It was said that when the dynamites exploded and failed to hit their target, the suspected militants opened fire on the workers, killing the driver, and injuring two security officers.

Speaking at a media briefing in Unyenge, the chairman, Council of Chiefs, Ovong Xavier Ekpe, lamented that such has never happened in the history of the community’s relationship with the company which has been operating more than a decade ago in the area.

The monarch in a text read by the Secretary Unyenge Development Union, Mr Edet Edietteh, sympathised with the families of the deceased.

According to him, such an act could only have come from enemies of the land to paint the community in a bad light.

“The recent attack on the staff of the Universal Energy Resources Limited, the chiefs, the elders and the youths of Unyenge community regret the unforeseen incident that took place on the 20th of January, this month, where two members of the police and a worker of the Universal Energy Resources Limited were attacked by the hoodlums.

“The community really frowns at the inhuman and unpatriotic act and do sympathise with the families of the victims on the attacks, the UERL family and the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

“The community sees such act as unacceptable, unpatriotic, devoid of the character of Unyenge people. Such dastardly act must have been caused by enemies of Unyenge people and that of Oron Nation at large, with the intent to paint the people in a bad light.

“We strongly disassociate ourselves from the activities of the attackers and reassure the government of Akwa Ibom State that the Unyenge community is safe for any form of investment.

“We, therefore, called on the state government and security agencies to use their might to unravel the perpetrators of this crime with a view towards bringing them to book. Whoever is found culpable should be made to face the full weight of the law,” the monarch said.

Speaking at the scene of the incident a community leader and President Akwa Ibom State Community in Rivers State, Evangelist Bassey Ekpimah said: “We are not known for this kind of act, we don’t think there is anybody in the community that can be part of this heinous crime, because since this community has been in existence and the UERL has been working here for a long time, more than a decade now, we have never witnessed this kind of incident before.”

He called on the state government to beef up security in the area to prevent the reoccurrence of the incident.

The President of Unyenge Development Union, Mr Effiong Ekpo, while lamenting frequent attacks on fishermen by suspected militants, also called on Federal Government to station Navy gunboat near the creeks to Unyenge to prevent further attacks.

He added: “As a riverine community, we have suffered unwarranted attacks by militants, who often seize our goods, cash, outboard engines and boats. “We appeal to FG to reactivate the Naval Base and station a gunboat near the creeks that leads to Unyenge.”