In Akwa Ibom, Two Gun Dead, Thirteen Vehicles Burnt, As Hoodlums Invade INEC Office
In Akwa Ibom State, two persons have been reported shot dead and about thirteen vehicles destroyed on Friday night after some hoodlums attacked office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Obot-Akara Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom State.
An eyewitness, who spoke to some journalists on condition of anonymity, said security has been beefed up in the area as fear and confusion had enveloped the community of Obot-Akara.
“As we speak, two persons have been killed and thirteen vehicles burnt down already in the Local Government headquarters. The crisis started between the security personnel and some thugs when INEC staff were distributing sensitive materials for the elections,” the source said.However, the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Chris Ekpeyong, attributed the crisis to some All Progressives Congress stalwarts in the local government area who he alleged have been causing crisis in the local council for a long time now.
Ekpeyong, who hailed from Obot-Akara said he was in Uyo monitoring the distribution of the materials when news got to him that there was crisis going on in the local government and that two persons have been killed and buses destroyed already.
“They went ahead to beat up the electoral officer because they wanted to force him to accept their own list for the ad-hoc staff. The matter was reported to the police and nothing was done because they believed they have somebody who is behind them.Also, another political stalwart in the area, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Monday Ebong Uko, said he was privy to the report but must move down to the venue of the incident to ascertain the level of damage done in the area.
“This is the kind of government we have at the centre, they want to take over Akwa Ibom State by force but I have told my people not to take a reprisal attack.”
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Odiko Macdon, when contacted, said he and the commissioner of police, Bashir Makama, were on their way to the venue to confirm the veracity of the report.
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