Nigeria: 16 people were killed in a conflict between rival cults in Akwa Ibom
By Ahmed Hadizat
No less than 16 people have been purportedly killed in a ridiculous matchless quality conflict between two rival cult groups – Klaans and Black axe confraternities – over the control of a minibus park in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to reports, the conflict began on Sunday in the state’s Nwaniba Area when one group allegedly encroached into the park to collect parking tolls, resulting in an angry response from the opposing camp.
On Tuesday, a community member named Nora Iwang informed reporters in Uyo that the crisis has resulted in the destruction of property valued at several millions of naira and the abandonment of thousands of homes.
Despite the fact that Nora claimed to be returning home on that fateful day, she revealed that she had to spend the night with relatives and friends outside the neighborhood due to distressing calls from ominous neighbors near Udo Ekpo Nkpo Street.
“Say thanks to God, I at last showed up at my home toward the beginning of today (Tuesday) after my companions called me Monday night to rest somewhere else and not to return because of a paranoid fear of being killed by the rampaging outfitted punks,” Iwang regretted.
Anofiok Usen, another resident, shared the following account: “My wife called me at about 7:50 on Monday, that I should not return home because of ongoing killings around my area in Udo Ekpo Nkpo Street and the adjoining areas of Nwaniba, Ekpri Nsukara, Eniong Offot, and Use Offot communities.” I needed to take shelter at my sister’s place off Abak street till toward the beginning of today, Tuesday.”
Another resident, who went by the name Emem Duncan, told our Correspondent, “We’ve been staying indoors since 6:00 p.m. because of the fight, and the Police operatives would only mount the guard on major roads, harassing ordinary unarmed civilians without going into the villages to confront the real culprits.”
