Tension in Cross River as thugs destroy over 15 houses, vandalise cars

 

•Residents take refuge in forest 

<<CLICK/TAP HERE>>

By Judex Okoro, Calabar 

Palpable fear and tension have gripped residents of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, as hundreds of thugs attacked  over 15 houses and destroyed property worth several millions of naira recently.

Following the attack, hundreds of residents have fled to nearby forests where they are taking refuge for fear of the unknown.

The thugs, alleged to be supporters of the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had operated from Sunday, Februrary 5, to Tuesday, Februray 7, between 9pm and 5am.  

Some of the people whose houses were attacked were the state PDP organising secretary, Mr. Nsa Ekeng, Atimbo West ward; Francis Effanga, director-general of PDP southern senatorial candidate campaign council; Ekpo Okon, Elder Effiom Edet Ekpo, PDP Atimbo West ward chairman; and Amanso Okon Etim, PDP chapter youth leader, Atimbo East Ward. 

Others affected were Edet Okon Etim (aka Sunny), youth leader, Atimbo West ward; Emmanuel Eyo, Atimbo West Ward; Saviour Maurice, PDP vice chairman, Atimbo West and Orok Ekeng.

 APC members whose property were destroyed are Innocent Atsenudiara, supervisor in Calabar South, who is said to be a loyalist of the PDP House of Reps member, Hon. Essien Ayi and Offiong Antigha.

 Investigation by Daily Sun showed that there had been silent war over the alleged destruction of campaign posters and billboards mounted by various candidates. 

PDP state chairman, Venatius Ikem, had earlier raised the alarm that they were being denied space to mount their billboards, accusing government agencies of complicity in the destruction of some PDP candidates’ billboards across the state. 

The APC chairman, Alohonsus Eba, had also decried the destruction of APC candidates’ billboards, alleging that the opposition party was behind it.

The trouble got to a climax following allegations that one of the APC House of Representatives candidate’s billboards mounted at the campaign office in Akpabuyo was pulled down.

Piqued by this, thugs said to be loyal to one of the APC’s candidates regrouped and unleashed mayhem on nine house belonging to PDP members across Akpabuyo communities òn February 5.

A source revealed that, on the same day, armed thugs loyal to the PDP also attacked a guest house said to belong to an APC chieftain and carted away electronics. Emboldened by poor security within the community, the thugs invaded more houses, attacked occupants and looted items the following day.