Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State expressed his dismay over the destruction of lives and property in the oil communities of Iwuochang, Iko Nsong and Esit Urua villages during a communal clash. He assessed the extent of the damage caused by the conflict between Eket, Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas over the disputed Stubbs Creek forest.
The Governor visited the victims of the conflict at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo, where he announced the takeover of the land by the government. He directed the Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd), to take inventory of the destroyed property including shops and houses that were razed during the mayhem.
The Governor vowed to bring the perpetrators to book and disclosed that the government has credible intelligence on those who are sponsoring the young people to cause the mayhem. He warned that if the incident happens again, the government would take action, pick up the perpetrators and they would face the penalty squarely. The Governor appealed to the political gladiators to stop taking sides and causing disunity. He reminded them of their filial and communal ties, noting that the two communities are united in many ways, including inter-marriages.