By KAFTANPOST, ABUJA
Uyo, May 8, 2019 The Akwa Ibom Government has debunked media reports that Cameroun gendarmes on Tuesday killed 40 of its indigenes at Idiaabatu Fishing Settlement in Cameroun.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Ekikere Umoh, in Uyo on Wednesday.
Umoh said that the killings and burning of Akwa Ibom property at Idiaabatu was masterminded and executed by a local militia known as Asanawana, operating in the Shell Creek Area.
“The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to recent media reports insinuating resumed border hostilities by Camerounian authorities resulting in the death of several indigenes of Akwa Ibom residing in the Cameroons.
“Given the propensity of such media reports to trigger a diplomatic crisis with attendant grave consequences on both sides, as well as the need to put the issue in perspective, we wish to inform the public as follows;
“That there is hardly an iota of truth to the allegations that the killings and wanton acts of arson and destruction of property of Akwa Ibom indigenes living at the Shell Creek in Cameroun, was carried out by Camerounian authorities.
“From discreet investigations which have been corroborated by affected returnees, the killings and burning of Akwa Ibom indigenes property at the Idiaabatu fishing settlement in Cameroun was the result of the heightening of a prolonged feud between two indigenous groups.
“The incident took place last weekend when majority of the residents isited Akwa Ibom to attend a burial at Ikot Inyang Esuk in Uyo.
“We have been informed that the attack was masterminded and executed by a local militia operating in the Shell Creek Area by the name Asanwana, and purportedly backed by a local chieftain,” Umoh said.
He added that the Camerounian army had mobilised into the fishing settlement; and that the culprits had been arrested.
“We also have it on good authority that following an official report, the Camerounian army at Abana had mobilised into the fishing community and arrested 15 suspects involved in the weekend carnage,” he said.
He said the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, had urged the Chairman of Uyo and Uruan local government areas, whose indigenes form the bulk of the victims, to reach out to the affected indigenes for assistance.
