A number of individuals have been reportedly killed in a bloody supremacy conflict between two rival cult teams – Klaans and Black Axe confraternities, over the management of a minibus park in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that the incident began on Sunday, Could 7, 2023, within the Nwaniba Space of the state when the 2 teams engaged one another over alleged encroachment into the park to gather parking tolls by one group, forcing an indignant response from the opposing camp.
Based on Punch, investigation revealed that eight folks had been slaughtered in Use Offot, and over 10 others had been killed in Anua, Ekpri Nsukara and Oniong communities, whereas a number of others have been hospitalised in numerous hospitals with various levels of accidents.
A resident of the group, Nora Iwang, instructed newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, that property estimated at a number of hundreds of thousands of naira have been destroyed within the disaster whereas 1000’s have abandoned their houses.
Nora who stated she was returning dwelling that fateful day, disclosed that she needed to sleep with relations and mates exterior the realm, following distressed calls from frightful neighbours round Udo Ekpo Nkpo Avenue.
“Thank God, I lastly arrived at my home this morning (Tuesday) after my mates referred to as me Monday night to sleep elsewhere and to not return for worry of being killed by the rampaging armed hoodlums,” Iwang lamented.
One other resident, Anofiok Usen stated, “My spouse referred to as me at about 7:50 pm on Monday, that I shouldn’t return dwelling due to ongoing killings round my space in Udo Ekpo Nkpo Avenue and the adjoining areas of Nwaniba, Ekpri Nsukara, Eniong Offot and Use Offot communities. I needed to take refuge at my sister’s place off Abak highway until this morning, Tuesday,”
“All through these final three days, we’ve been staying indoors from 6:00 pm due to the battle and the Police operatives would solely mount the guard on main roads, harassing extraordinary unarmed civilians with out going into the villages to confront the actual culprits,” one other resident, who recognized herself as Emem Duncan.
In the meantime, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the killings in an announcement on Tuesday, stated solely 4 folks had been killed.
“The Commissioner of Police Olatoye Durosinmi, is miffed on the disruption of public order and security by two rival cult teams at Anua Offot and Use Offot, each at Nwaniba, in Uyo Native Authorities Space, resulting in the lack of lives,” the PPRO stated.
“The CP condemned in sturdy phrases the wanton destruction of lives and has vowed to carry perpetrators to e-book, therefore, he has deployed Tactical sources to revive order and fish out the perpetrators.
““The CP has, due to this fact, referred to as on residents of the stated communities and Uyo, to go about their lawful companies with out worry of molestation and be assured of their security due to methods emplaced.
“He has despatched a transparent warning to perpetrators of those dastardly acts to desist forthwith or face the dire penalties of their actions.”