A fatal clash between suspected members of Iceland and Debam confraternities has claimed the lives of at least four persons on Sunday, October 17, 2021.
The PUNCH reports that the clash took place in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
Until the clash, the communities were said to have enjoyed a fragile peace for almost two years after Governor Udom Emmanuel granted amnesty to repentant cultists prior to the 2019 general elections.
The attack was reportedly masterminded by a bloodthirsty cult leader identified as ‘Otto’ of the Icelaand confraternity, according to a source who pleaded anonymity in Uyo on Tuesday.
The source said that “Otto has been going round killing people, claiming that he has the mandate to kill those he believed are cultists for using his name to commit crime. He uses charms to detect his victims whom he kills instantly.”
Those killed, the source added include one Samuel Ekeke Mkpokporo, from Udianga Enem village and one Gideon, from Ikot Udobong village in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. Two others including one King Monday John Ibanga, from Ikot Ibekwe village, and another unidentified victim from Ikot Unah village in the neighbouring Ukanafun LGA were also killed.
Confirming the incident, the Youths Leader of Udianga Enem village Mr Udeme John who he reported the matter at the Etim Ekpo Area Command.
“This will be the second of such killings in my community in recent times,” John added.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, claimed that only two persons were killed in the attack
He however said the commissioner of police, Andrew Amiengheme, has deployed a Tactical Team to investigate the killings and also fish out the perpetrators.
Subsequently, Macdon said that security has been beefed up in the affected areas and urged residents of the two local government areas to go about their lawful business without any fear of molestation.
“The Command has received a report that one Gideon Monday Udoekong of Ikot Umoabiat was shot by an unknown person along Iwukem-Ukanafun Road, precisely at Ikot Udobong.
“The Command also received another report that one Kingsley David John of Ikot Ibekwe in Ukanafun LGA was found dead in his neighbourhood
“The Commissioner of Police has reacted swiftly by deploying Tactical Teams to the Areas to fish out the perpetrators while a discrete investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding these deaths and to bring those responsible for these dastardly acts to justice,” he said.
