Ssuspected cultists invade palace, kill two, injure village head

The spate of cult-related activities in Akwa Ibom State in recent weeks, especially in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local councils, is making residents have sleepless nights.

In fact, The Guardian gathered, led to the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on Sunday to worship at Qua Iboe church in Ukanafun, where he called on churches in the area to help government pray fervently to arrest the ugly development in the state

Unknown to the governor, while he was attending the church service, mayhem was being unleashed on Abak Obong village in Etim Ekpo local council by suspected cultists, leading to the death of two persons while many others were severely injured.

According to an eyewitness account who does not want his name in print, gunmen numbering about 10, stormed the village and attacked the palace of the village head, Chief Bassey Ikpaisong, who was fatally shot and left critically wounded.

His brother, Mr. Fred Ikpaisong, and one youth, identified as Mr. Udotim Essien, The Guardian gathered, were shot and killed at close range. This, the source said, is happening barely two days after a similar attack left four people dead and houses burnt in the neighbouring Udianga Enem village.

Survivors of the attack have called for increased security presence in the troubled areas. “Right now, our village head is hospitalized. It is not known whether he will survive from the gunshots wounds because at the moment, he cannot talk to the people who visited him at the hospital.”

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area “has intervened and brought the matter under control.

“When I contacted the DPO, he told me that immediately he heard of the matter, he rushed down with his men and calmed the situation”, he added.It would be recalled that the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Don Awunah, had alleged as at May this year that about 40 cult groups exist in the state.