A’Ibom gov asks security agencies to fish out killers of farmer

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, has called on security agencies in the state to close ranks and fish out perpetrators of the attack on Ikot Obio Nso community in Mkpat Enin local government area.

The attack which was reportedly carried out by herdsmen, left one Friday Udo Etor dead and many others with bullet wounds.

The late Friday Udo Etor was a farmer.

Speaking when he visited the community, Emmanuel said the perpetrators must be identified and punished to give the victims and the community a sense of security.

The governor, who was represented by Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the state government, said the state will not condone violence acts nor harbour any person or group preying on the lives of its citizens.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel is very saddened and unhappy by this unprovoked attack on our people. He called me by 1a.m. and told me to be here this morning to console the people and calm frayed nerves,” he said.

“We are peaceful and civilized in Akwa Ibom state, the elasticity of our patience is not infinite. As it is said in science when the limit of elasticity is exhausted there must be rupture and we do not want that.”

Speaking to a cross section of indigenes of the affected community, the governor said his administration is working with security agencies to capture and prosecute the attackers.

He assured them that government is working to guarantee their security, appealed to them to cooperate with security agencies to unravel those behind the attack.

“Be assured that all hands are on deck, with the Governor being the chief security officer of the State pushing for it, with support from all of us, those murderers would be arrested and security of life and property would be guaranteed,” he .

The governor also stopped over at a hospital to check on a 11 year old boy, Master Nsikak Sylvanus Udoh, who sustained bullet wounds in the attack.

George Okodi, chairman of Ikot Obio Nso village council, told the governor that the incident occurred around 9am on Thursday.

Okodi explained that the deceased went to his farm and saw a herd of cattle feeding on his crops, so he accosted the herdsmen in a bid to stop them from destroying his crops but they resisted him and in the ensuing disagreement one of the herdsman pulled out a gun and shot him dead.

He said the incident alarmed members of the community who were equally attacked by the herdsmen with people sustaining injuries from gunshots.

Okodi thanked the state government for responding promptly to the crisis, appealed for security beef-up in the area.