Suspected herders kill one, injure another in A’Ibom community

Emmanuel Ekpo, Uyo

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked Ikot Atasung community in the Ikot Ekpene area of Akwa Ibom State and killed one Silvanus Usen.

The deceased brother, Andrew who was severely injured in the attack on Sunday morning, is battling for survival in an undisclosed hospital.

The attack occurred after a similar incident in Ini LGA, almost same hour, where a policeman was shot dead by armed men suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra’s security arm.

A source, who did not want to be named, said on Monday that safe for the timely intervention of some political actors, the youths would have attacked the Hausa community in the village.

The source added that the situation in the community is still very unpredictable and tensed.

“Suspected herdsmen in the early hours of Sunday attacked Ikot Atasung village in Ikot Ekpene where one Silvanus Peter Usen was killed and his brother, Andrew was severely injured and is currently in a hospital battling to survive.

“A possible faceoff between the angry youths and the Hausa Community in Ikot Ekpene was averted yesterday through the intervention of some political actors and the police. However, there is an air of uncertainty in Ikot Ekpene now,” the source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the attack, described it as “unfortunate” adding that the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme has already ordered a discreet investigation into what had happened.

He expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the crime would not go scot free.

He said: “We have received that report, it is an unfortunate one. The CP has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident with the aim of apprehending the perpetrators of the act.

“And I want to believe that in no distance time we will have an update on the incident because those who have committed the act must be brought to book.”