About three persons have been reported dead in a bloody clash between Ikot Osute and Ikot Ukpong villages of Oruk Anam council areas of Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that trouble started when one Ime Etuo (female) had a misunderstanding with her husband and she went back to her father’s house in Ikot Osute. But later, the husband reconciled with her and moved into his father in-law’s compound in Ikot Osute village to live with Ime.
It was also gathered that although, the wife settled with the husband in her father’s compound, she was allegedly having an illicit affair with another man from Ikot Ukpong village which her husband kicked against.
Investigations revealed that Ime Etuo chased the husband away and went on with the lover but youths from Ikot Osute village led by one Udeme alleged to have descended on the new man popularly known as “Chop I Chop” and beat him to death.
According to an eyewitness, Idongesit Jacob, “the Village head of Ikot Osute, Chief Tana, mobilized the youths and apprehended the culprit as police was invited to take him away.
“While waiting for the police, Udeme tricked the villagers that they should loose him to eat as he was very hungry. Immediately Udeme was loosed from the rope, he escaped into the bush to the amazement of all. Efforts by the youths to search for him proved abortive.”
He said when the youths of Ikot Ukpong village where the late victim came from heard that their son was killed, they went to Ikot Osute village for reprisal attack.
Jacob said the attack was severe such that one Idongesit Bassey was shot dead during the fight while two others were rushed to Immanuel General Hospital for treatment.
He said one of them, Promise Unanaowo later died as relative could not withstand the hospital procedures for treatment of gunshots and took him to native doctors for extraction of bullets.
“We removed him from Immanuel Hospital for native treatment of bullets extraction and the young man died after the bullets were removed but he could not urinate.”
He said the number of casualties have increased to three while the two communities have been deserted as people ran away for refuge in neighbouring communities.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Macdon, confirmed the casualties and explained that police have mounted surveillance in the area to forestall further hostilities and would arrest suspects for investigations and bring culprits to book.
