Udom Emmanuel, Others Escape Death In Ikot Abasi. *One Dead, Scores Injured, Several Vehicles Vandalized

Udom

There was pandemonium last week in Ikot Abasi Local Government Council grounds, Venue of Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency’s Town hall meeting, as the Secretary to the government of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and several others narrowly escaped being lynched by an irate mob who were miffed by the comment he made

A victim of the attack

Like every other of such meetings going on in the state, it started on a bright note with Governor Godswill Akpabio enumerating the projects embarked upon by his administration, he mentioned those commissioned and those still under construction, while pledging to do more within the lifespan of his administration. While he used the opportunity to thank the people of the Federal Constituency for their support in the past elections, he berated Mkpat Enin Local Government Area for performing below expectation in the past elections, arguing that total vote cast in Mkpat Enin was not in tandem with their population.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor who stated that his administration responds to criticism with projects also added that Ikot Abasi cannot be ignored in the history of Akwa Ibom State. In response to an appeal to immortalize the women who were massacred during the famous Ikot Abasi Women riot he promised to build a Girls Secondary School In Ikot Abasi in honour of the heroines who were massacred for protesting against the excesses of the colonial masters.

Report has it that the already tensed crowd who had gathered to welcome the state governor, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio and his entourage were further embittered by what one of them described as “inhuman treatment” meted on them by the crowd control unit (CCU) and the statement made by the SSG which they say is contrary to the position of Ikot Abasi. Our source who was simply indentified as Uko, said the SSG had his opportunity when the team visited Eket Federal Constituency and that Tuesday was the turn of Ikot Abasi.

“it was not necessary for him to have argued over a decision taken by the people of Ikot Abasi, it is our right and no one can take it from us. We regard his statement as an insult on our stakeholders and royals fathers and we demand an apology. He(Udom) is lucky to have left Ikot Abasi with the Governor, otherwise we for teach am lesson” the angry youth said.

One person is believed to have been killed during the violent clash while several others sustained different degrees of injuries. The violence started shortly after Udom Emmanuel ended his vote of thanks by saying that as one who is the custodian of government documents, the facts as presented by the people of Ikot Abasi is false, He insinuated that the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency erred when they argued that Eket Federal Constituency produced Dr. Clement Isong and Brigadier U. J. Essuene as Governor in the past. The statement angered the already irked youths who immediately went on rampage immediately the governor and his envoy stepped out of the Council hall.

 The situation was worsened when members of the Crowd Control Unit (CCU) attempted to stop the angry youths. They were outnumbered by the hordes of Ikot Abasi Youths who chased and beat them mercilessly. Some members of the CCU had to discard they bright orange clothing to evade the angry mob.

The youths who brandished dangerous weapons attacked some cars in the Governor’s convoy, including buses conveying journalist and other guest were randomly vandalized in the coordinated attack and some journalist had to escape into nearby bushes. It is believed that the SSG was one of those targeted by the youth who set up barricades, while throwing all sort of missile at any moving vehicle or person suspected to be in support of Udom’s statement or a member of the CCU.

It took the police several hours of firing warning shots and canisters of teargas to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Efforts to reach the DPO in Ikot Abasi for comments were unsuccessful.
It should be noted that the people of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency unanimously rooted for power shift to Eket Senatorial District and that the contrary comments made by Udom angered the people of  Ikot Abasi, including the Paramount Ruler and other royal fathers who were present.