Government imposes curfew on Akwa Ibom community as clash between Ibeno, Ilaje fishermen rages

THE Akwa Ibom State government, through the Ibeno Local Government chairman, Chief Henry Mkpa, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ibeno community following the continued clashes between fishermen of Ilaje and native Ibeno extraction. 

The curfew, which is indefinite, restricts both individual and vehicular movements in the riverside community from 7:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. 

A statement signed on behalf of the council chairman by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Melford Asuquo, and made available to newsmen in Uyo, the state capital on Thursday, warned that anyone apprehended during the curfew period would be prosecuted. 

The statement reads: “Following the violent clash between the Yoruba community and indigenes of Mkpanak group of communities in Ibeno council area, which has resulted in the loss of lives and properties, the executive chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew from 7:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. with immediate effect till further notice. 

“Sequel to (sic) the above, human and vehicular movements are prohibited in any part of the local government, while security agencies have been put on alert to strictly enforce this order, and anyone found during these hours will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.” 

It was gathered that about 10 people were feared killed and several others missing, while properties worth several millions of naira were reportedly destroyed in the clash on Wednesday. 

The deputy governor of the state, Mr Moses Ekpo, it was gathered, had visited the community, with a view to calming frayed nerves and bringing succour to those displaced.