Akpan Umoh
The Akwa Ibom Government has donated relief materials to victims of the recent boundary crisis between Ikpanya Community in Ibiono Ibom LGA and their neighbours of Arochukwu in Abia.
The state government also assured indigenes, particularly the people of Ikpanya in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area that it would continue to do everything within its power to ensure the safety and security of lives and property in the state.
The Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, gave the assurance on Tuesday, during the donation of relief materials to the people of Ikpanya, who were victims of the recent boundary crisis between Ikpanya and Arochukwu in Abia.
Ekpo, represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, said that security agencies have been mandated to wade into the matter and provide intervention accordingly to ensure the safety of lives and property.
He said that the boundary crisis has been reported to the National Boundary Commission, NBC, and therefore appealed to the people of Ikpanya not to contemplate any reprisal attacks.
The deputy governor sympathised with those who were directly affected by the boundary crisis, adding that the relief materials, though a temporary measure, was to help cushion the effects of the suffering of the people.
Ekpo said that government would continue to place high premium on the welfare and wellbeing of its citizens.
“Do not take up arms against your neighbours, no matter the provocation, stay calm and avoid reprisal attacks,” Ekpo said.
The deputy governor commended the Council Chairman Mr Ekpoimoh Edet and Mr Godwin Ekpo, member representing Ibiono Ibom at the state House of Assembly for their efforts and cooperation with the government in restoring peace to the area.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA Mr Ekopimoh Edet, thanked the State Government for the prompt intervention for assessment and release of relief materials to the victims.
Edet appealed to the state government to seek a permanent solution to the Ikpanya crisis, which has lingered for long.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Councillor representing Ikpanya, Mr Esin Sunday thanked the state government for giving the relief materials to the victims.
Sunday appealed to the state government that what was required most now was food items, as the people could not access food from their farms to avoid being ambushed.
He called on the state government to come to their rescue by establishing a security post in the area to curb insecurity.
It could be recalled that in March, some hoodlums from Arochokwu, Abia invaded Ikpanya in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom and destroyed houses in the community. Our Correspondents reports that materials donated included: Aluminium roofing sheets, Plastic buckets, mattresses, beddings, cartons of detergents, Zinc nails, mosquito nets, bath towels, nylon mats, plastic cups, and spoons, among others.