ETIM EKPIMAH
Thousands of residents of Ikot Afanga and Ntak Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have fled their homes following military bombardment of hoodlums’ hideouts in the areas.
Though the actual casualties could not be ascertained in the affected
communities, the military operation was led by Nigeria Air Force using
three jet fighter planes in bombarding the suspected hoodlums’ hideouts in the area on Tuesday, April 6.
According to eyewitness’ account, the military operation was severe as
sounds of gunshots and heavy artillery were heard in the neighbouring villages.
An eyewitness said that Ikot Afanga and Ntak Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim
were the theatres of war and would live with debilitating effects and
horrific experiences in years to come.
The eyewitness who did not want his name in print said: “The affected
villages and their neighbours have been deserted owing to the severity
of the aerial bombardment.’’
Asked if the suspected criminal elements have been affected, he said the suspects had bolted away remaining innocent persons in the
communities to bear the brunt of the ‘war.’
This is as another source said the military using three trucks went to
the Essien Udim on Monday, April 5 to carry the corpse of a slain
soldier, but they were repelled by the gunmen who stood close to the
decomposing corpse.
“Realising the casualty that would have ensued, the soldiers retreated
and returned to Uyo to fortify their plan to disarm the hoodlums,’’
another witness told our reporter in the area.
It was gathered from other sources that drones and helicopters were also deployed on Monday to the area as they flew at low levels to ensure proper surveillance of the area.
The military had on Monday asked residents to vacate areas suspected
to be used as camps by the criminals.
Staffers and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana in Essien Udim
located a few metres from Senator Godswill Akpabio’s residence were
forced out of the school campus.
The Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene Local
Government Area was also closed.
Essien Udim has been under siege for some time now by criminal
elements suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB).
Last week, three police officers including a Chief Superintendent of
Police (CSP), were killed in a reprisal attack by gunmen while four
policemen were declared missing.
Military vehicles were also set ablaze by the hoodlums.
The Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Akwa Ibom
State, Captain Godfrey Abakpa confirmed the military operation to The Nation correspondent in Uyo.
At the time of filing this report, the Army spokesperson said no arrest had been made yet.
Asked if the criminals were members of IPOB, he said: “They are
miscreants for now. We can’t categorise them until they are
apprehended and questioned to know their intention and who sent them.”