Youths snub peace process, attack rival communities

Emmanuel Ekpo, Uyo

The youths of Ammamong and Okopedi, all in Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have snubbed peace process initiated by leaders of the LGA to entrench peace in the area as both communities took on each other on fierce battle.

The five-man panel of investigation was set up and given 21 days to examine the remote and immediate causes of the crisis in the two communities and to come out with solutions.

It was learnt that the tactical team, which the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Andrew Amiengheme despatched to the area on Tuesday, to restore normalcy to the warring communities, is still on ground.

One of the stakeholders, who spoke with journalists at Okopedi, expressed disappointment that despite the peace efforts, two persons from Ammamong, who went to the farm to harvest cassava, were ambushed by the five people alleged to have come from Okopedi

He said: “Two people went on a motorcycle to harvest their cassava, they were ambushed by five men from Okopedi. But the two were extraordinarily strong people. So, they try to machete them, but you know that in trouble situation like this, people protect themselves, by putting up hard fight against their enemies.

“The two persons overpowered the five, arrested one of them and took him to the DPO and the paramount ruler of Okobo and he has made confessions to the police.”

But an indigene of Okopedi, Mr Anweting Etim, described the information as false saying there was no ambush and no disruption of peace around Okopedi.

Etim said the President of Oron Union went on a situation assessment and finally had a meeting with chiefs, youths, and the women.

He said: “I have not heard of any ambush or disruptions of the peace efforts. Yesterday (Monday) the president of the Oron Union which is the umbrella body of the five LGAs of Oro Nation came here on situation report and they went round the places and finally had a meeting with the chiefs, youths and the women at the Civil Centre in Oron.

“That was what happened, and the youths were there. Nobody ambushed anybody. We heard the peace committee will come here today; the information I have is that the peace committee will come here tomorrow, that is Wednesday.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said he had yet to be informed about the recent attacks.

He said: “I am not aware of the recent attacks. What I know is that our men are still on ground there and normalcy has been restored to the area.”