By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
The Inua Eyet Ikot Community In Ibeno Local Council of Akwa Ibom have been deserted after a mid night attack last weekend with property worth millions of naira was destroyed by suspected hoodlums from their neighbouring Esit Eket council area.
The small oil and gas rich Inua Eyet Ikot community in Ibeno hosts the ExxonMobil Mobil qua iboe terminal facility and also have BUA’s petrol chemical factory under construction in their domain.
Conducting Journalists round the terribly damaged schools, clinics and people’s homes yesterday, the emeritus village council chairman, Chief Nta Edyang lamented that the damaged buildings, farms and other facilities were valued at over 100 million naira.
According to Edyang, “a couple of days ago, we were woken up to the invasion from our Esit Eket neighbors at midnight with massive attacks on our farms, clinic, schools and people’s homes which were all brought down to rubbles.
“The Invaders came at midnight well armed and people fled to the bushes, from where they hear them using sledge hammers and other destructive equipments to destroy properties we laboured to build to foundation level
“The sole reason for the latest attack is not unconnected with ongoing petrochemical factory project which is being built in our community by BUA group. The hoodlums claimed our village is their land and even hosted a flag after the destruction written” Ibeno beware, we won’t tolerate your conspiracy with state government to take our land”.
He further revealed, “We have reported the matter to the State Police Commissioner who visited the area in the company of other security agencies to see the level of damage and appealed to us to remain calm while investigation is ongoing.”
Also speaking to Journalists after the tour of the affected area, the paramount ruler of Ibeno local government area, Owong (Prof) Effiong Archianga traced the genesis of the serial attacks in Ibeno Communities to the enormous natural resources deposited by God in their domain.
According to Archianga, “Ibeno is blessed with oil and gas, the entire state is enjoying our wealth, we need peace to coexist and will not tolerate further aggression from our neighbors.