By Esseh Ikora, Uyo
Barely 48 hours after the Akwa Ibom state government outlawed the activities of 33 cults groups, suspected militants have shot dead one Udeme Daniel Akpan.
Until his gruesome murder in the early hours of Thursday, the deceased who is a father of three, was the youths leader of Ikot Edet community in Etim Ekpo local government area.
Akpan, who was said to be in the forefront of fighting cult groups in his community, was also alleged to have been served with a notice by the militants, to pay some undisclosed sum of money or risked being killed.
According to family sources, “He had to escape to the neighbouring community of Ibio Nnung Achat where he remained until the militants obtained information of his whereabouts through their network and mobilized to kill him. In fact, the shooting this morning was so heavy that policemen stationed at Ibio Nnung Achat had to scamper for safety.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Odiko Macdon Ogbeche expressed surprise that the action could jeopardize the peace deal the government, security agencies and stakeholders were trying to broker for the militants to drop their arms.
He assured that the security agencies would dislodge the hoodlums as well as mop up small arms and light weapons in the affected communities.
Governor Udom Emmanuel read riot act on Wednesday at a security stakeholders’ meeting held at Etim Ekpo Council Hall where he urged the militants to embrace peace and comply with the 21-day ultimatum given by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr, Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi to surrender arms in their possession in return for amnesty.
A member of the community vigilance group, Effiong Obot said, “But barely 24 hours, the militants spurned the carrot and breached the ceasefire with the gruesome assassination of the youths’ leader, it is shocking and surprising.”
