According to a
source at the scene of the incident, who preferred anonymity, "the attacks
began at about 10 pm when some people had slept. It would have been worse if
there were many people on the street. They started cutting anybody they met on
their way with machetes. Some of them carried iron rods and other forms of
weapons with which they beat and wound people. They also destroyed the
properties of people selling shops in the area".
Sources say the
incident was caused by a case of a stolen generator which was sold to one of
the Hausa men. When the owner of the generator found out that the generator was
sold to the scrap collectors, he apprehended them and the case was thought to
have been settled until last night.
Sources say the
problem started when the man who bought the generator accused his Hausa kinsman
of selling him out by reporting him to the owner of the generator.They
began to
fight. An attempt by an Ibibio man in the area to separate the fight led to one
of the fighting parties insinuating that the Ibibio man sided with his brother
to beat him. He then went to his people to tell his brothers, who reinforced
and went with him to attack anyone they met on the street.
One of the victims,
Mr. Itoro, said "I was sitting in front of our house when I saw them
running with machetes towards me. But because I didn't have any problem with
anyone I was not afraid, only for them to cut me in the face and continued to
run on".
Another victim, Mr.
Ezekiel, said "I went to see my friend in the area only to see them
running towards my direction. Since I did not know there was a problem, I was
just walking on the street going back to my house. One of them lifted his
machete to cut me in the head and when I blocked it with my hand, he cut my
hand again and again. That is when I knew the matter was serious and started
running".
The man with the
highest level of injuries, Mr. Ubong Okon, said they met him on his way back
from work and descended on him. "I sure they wanted to kill me, but God
saved my life as some youths who were drinking nearby came to my rescue. I
thank God that I am still alive".
When news men
contacted the village head of the community, Eteidung Effiong Asikpo, he
declined comment. But, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Rev. (Dr.) Ndueso Ekwere, while speaking
to journalists called for calm as everything will be brought under control
"I want to urge the people to stay calm as the police and the authorities
have waded into the matter. I also want to urge all law-abiding citizens to go
about their normal duties as culprits will be made to face the full weight of the
law".
Meanwhile, youths in
the community have declared that they don't want the Hausa men in their
community again. The youths who came out in their numbers chanted war songs,
calling on the "Northerners" to evacuate their communities since they
are no more safe in their own land. "Aboki must go... Aboki must go...
Aboki must go ..." they chanted.
Meanwhile, some shop
owners in the area have closed their shops, fearing another spate of attacks.
The Hausa men have
been evacuated from the community by the police to an undisclosed location.
Credit: Godwin Sam
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