Apart from human lives, Daily Sun learnt that hundreds of houses and other property worth millions of naira had been destroyed in the mayhem which recurred on the Christmas Day.
Daily Sun learnt that the crisis started brewing on the eve of the Christmas when gunmen allegedly from Ukpata village in Idua clan disguised as Nnabo masquerade dancers as part of the Christmas celebration and invaded Idung Okung in Eyoabasi clan.
A source said immediately they entered the community, they began to shoot at random killing at least one person instantly while many others who scampered for safety also ran away with several bullet injuries.
A lady staffer with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, told Daily Sun on condition of anonymity that the community was calm when she went to church but was surprised to come and meet the village in flames.
“When I left for church there was no sign of danger in the village as the village was peaceful and calm with every body preparing for Christmas celebration but I was shocked to return from church service in less than an hour to see the whole village in flames with all my belongings gutted by fire except what I wore to the church service.”
Daily Sun was told that when commotion started, the Chief Boat Master of MAN with other naval staff had rushed to the scene to nip the situation in the bud but the CBM had one of his hands chopped off and his rifle taken away.
While the rampaging Afaha Eduok and Ukpata youths were setting ablaze every house in Idung Okung village and also cutting down known economic trees and plantain, banana, pawpaw and pine apple plantations that serve as source of income and food to the residents of the village, the startled villagers could only run for their dear lives.
But two aged persons, Madam Ikwo Efa Asanam and Okwung Oyuho Etienam who could not run out of their houses to safety were allegedly burnt alive alongside domestic animals in the vicinity.
Daily Sun learnt that the source of the perennial crisis was the belief by the two communities that there were some deposits of crude oil in the area and that on exploration, the people of Eyoabasi regarded as strangers by Idua people, would benefit more from the compensation.
The youth leaders of the two communities were however of the opinion that prominent politicians from the area were the ones fuelling the crisis since they were benefiting from it.
The President of Idua Youth Development Association, Akwa Christopher Ekpong accused the Eyoabasi of previously attacking Ukpata for about four times and they did not want to be taken unaware this time since they had an information that an attack was to be launched on them.
He said more than 15 of his men had been killed while 10 were injured.
But countering that, the National President, Akpakip Eyoabasi Youth Association, Mr. Okon Asuquo Enweme said at no time did the youth under his control conceived any plan to attack their neighbours.
Enweme said when he was informed of the incident, he immediately informed both area commander of police and the commandant in charge of the state Joint Task Force ‘Operation Oduma.’
He alleged that the whole crisis had a political colouration as the state commissioner from the area (name withheld) was trying to assert himself as political kingmaker in the area and working daily to bring all non political associations into his political camp.
The Chairman of Oron Local Government, Mr. Victor Okon however refuted claims of any political motives behind the incident but said he was working round the clock to provide accommodation and foodstuff to the sacked villagers.
When contacted on phone, the commissioner said he was busy in a meeting and promised to call back. He however did not keep his promise.
The state police command which had shifted their base to Oron from Uyo, could not equally give an update on the crisis. The command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Onyeka Orji told Daily Sun on phone that the police commissioner was in a meeting as at the time Daily Sun called.
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