Cult killings: Council chairman imposes curfew in A’Ibom community

Ini Billie, Uyo

The chairman of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Nyakno Okoibu has imposed a dust-to-dawn curfew within the council areas over cult killings.

The chairman, who noted that government would not allow cult-related killings and looting of property in the area to continue unchecked, said that the curfew which begins from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, will continue till further notice.

A press statement signed on Tuesday by the Press Secretary to the chairman, Nsisong Ntuk, and made available to our correspondent, added that restriction was necessary if cult-related activities which often resulted in killings and looting of property, were to be curbed.

Okoibu said: “The Chairman of Ikono LGA has imposed a total restriction of movement of persons, motorcycles, keke, cars, etc. within the perimeters of Ikono Local Government Area, from the hours of 6 pm to 6 am daily, effective from tomorrow, December 28, 2021, until further notice.

“The ban, though painful, is a child of necessity and is therefore in the overall best interest of every well-meaning indigene of Ikono and other citizens residing in the Council Area.

“As a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms and watch events go the other way round. We must be proactive.”

Okoibu urged security operatives to increase the tempo of surveillance and monitoring to stop the cult-related killings within the local government area and its environments.

He also advised the people to cooperate with the security agencies by reporting the suspicious movement of persons and volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the criminal elements in the council area.