Akwa Ibomites protest
…over murder of 2 brothers
By Christopher Tom Uyo
The tension that gripped Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, penultimate Tuesday as a result of the killing of two brothers at the Ewet Sand Beach has resurrected, and there are strong indications despite efforts to put down street processions by force that an end might not be in sight soon if youthful elements carry on with their threat to continue.
The renewed tension is coming in the wake of the inability of the State Police Command to come out with a categorical statement that would allay public suspicions, following rumours that the assassins, who committed the dastard killing, were allegedly apprehended in Calabar, capital of Cross River state.
There have been growing allegations suggesting that politically motivated killings and other acts of political intimidation may have become the order of the day in Akpabio’s Akwa Ibom.
Although the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Walter Rugbere had quickly reacted after the killing reaffirming that his men would soon catch up with the suspected hired assassins, the continued silence of the police has given room to speculations that there might be some level of conspiracy in some quarters designed to allow the murderers make their escape.
Owing to this scenario, youths of Uyo who for more than one year have witnessed several violent killings and blood-baths have reportedly resolved to rise against similar incidents by coming together to demonstrate on major streets in order to bring pressure to bear on government to stop the killings and kidnappings that have become the source of fear in the city.
What began as a peaceful protest by the youths surprisingly resulted in a clash with men of the State Police Command.
From the home of the two late brothers, the youths carried placards, some of which read: “Uyo Youths say No to kidnapping,” “Governor Akpabio we didn’t vote you to live in fear”.
But as the protesters, carrying two caskets apparently headed in the direction of Government House, Uyo, the Police moved in to disperse them.
Interestingly, Chief Godswill Akpabio , the State governor was however, away to the United States of America.
Our correspondent reports that the police fired tear gas canisters at the protesters and the resultant effect was a stampede that left several persons badly wounded.
Despite the fact that the police succeeded in taking possession of the two coffins, the demonstrators still regrouped and stormed the streets, insisting that the police should disclose details of those who are behind the rampant killings.
Our man on the spot reports that the police took the caskets to the ‘A’ Division of the police station in Uyo, which is located near the Government House.
While relations and friends of the late brothers are still suffering the pains and anguish of their dead indigenes of Ewet Offot, from where the deceased hailed have sworn not to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet like many other cases, promising to take it up with the police to any level.
A youth leader in the community who pleaded not to be named disclosed that all supermarkets, shop, markets, hospitals and schools in the area would not be opened during the next demonstrations as a show of solidarity for the deceased, who they alleged, were killed by criminals known to some highly placed persons in the society.
The youths further complained that in the two years of the Akpabio-led administration, violent crimes and kidnapping have reached a feverish pitch with over 100 people including the former Speaker, of the state Assembly, Chief Nelson Effiong and the father of the current Speaker, Pa Kevin Edet being victims.
Although the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godwill Akpabio has cried out that he was not a kidnapper as being alleged by top politicians with the former FCT minister of State, Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe being the arrow head, many citizens of the state have continued to point accusing fingers at government.
Akpabio who spoke through his Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umana, said those accusing him of sponsoring kidnappers were merely out to distract his administration. Similarly, Ini-Obong Abasi Ubong Ekpenyong, a former chairmanship candidate of the People Democratic Party, insisted abducted wife was still in the hands of the governor.
A one time military governor of Ogun and Rivers State, Group Captain Sam Ewang had also raised the alarm that Akpabio was behind the growing incidence of kidnapping in the South-South state.
But Akpabio said it was not possible for a chief security officer of a state to sponsor kidnappers and at the same time endorse death sentence for those involved in kidnapping, and other social vices
