Leaders, elders, youths and stakeholders from Eka Midim and Afahaobong clans in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have known as for peace and thorough investigations into allegations of assault involving Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and the loss of life of a village head amid rising communal tensions.
The dispute reportedly stems from allegations that DSS personnel assaulted a younger man, Nsikan Okon Peter, throughout efforts to resolve a monetary disagreement involving the late village head, Etteidung Saviour Ebong Abatai, and considerations over the circumstances surrounding the village head’s loss of life, which was allegedly linked to poisoning.
The former Provost of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (FCMLST), Jos, Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudoh, was reportedly trying to mediate within the dispute.
At Etukudoh’s nation dwelling in Midim, it was gathered that Peter had accused the late village head of owing him cash for work he had performed, alleging that the deceased refused to pay him, prompting the professor to intervene.
However, a viral video circulating on social media confirmed Peter alleging that DSS operatives assaulted him on the orders of Etukudoh. The allegation was denied by his kinsmen, who additionally cautioned in opposition to defamatory remarks in opposition to their son.
At an emergency assembly convened by group leaders and household representatives in Midim Clan, contributors disputed claims that Etukudoh and DSS operatives assaulted Peter throughout a gathering over the disputed debt.
The leaders defined that the assembly was convened to make clear the excellent quantity allegedly owed by the late Abatai and was not supposed to topic anybody to bodily punishment.
They known as for an investigation into the allegations circulating on social media and appealed to these concerned to “avoid statements capable of disrupting relations between Midim and neighbouring AfahaObong.”
The group leaders stated their place adopted social media posts and a viral video by one other particular person, Umoren Ebong, regarding an encounter involving Peter and Etukudoh on the professor’s compound in Ikot Ekiduk.
In a communiqué issued on behalf of Eka Midim Community Worldwide and anxious village and household heads, the group condemned what it described as “derogatory and malicious statements against Professor Etukudoh” and known as for a radical investigation into the allegations.
The communiqué, signed by Apostle Sylvester Ibanga and Obong Paul Oboh, recognized as Obom Mbong Ekpuk and Chairman of Family Heads in Abak, expressed confidence in Etukudoh and the DSS whereas urging the related authorities to ascertain the details by way of a radical investigation.
The household of the late village head had earlier disputed the allegation of assault, insisting that no person was overwhelmed in the course of the assembly.
The deceased’s first son, Idongesit Saviour Ebong, defined that the assembly was organized after he approached Etukudoh to debate an excellent debt arising from a development mission dealt with by his late father.
According to him, Peter, who served as his late father’s foreman, initially claimed that the deceased owed him ₦295,000. However, the quantity subsequently put ahead by the household was ₦45,000.
He stated the dispute prompted Etukudoh to ask him to make clear the declare, with a view to facilitating the settlement of the excellent quantity.
The deceased’s son additionally raised considerations in regards to the circumstances surrounding his father’s loss of life in September 2026, alleging that Peter had been with the village head on the night time earlier than he reportedly started vomiting blood.
The allegations regarding the loss of life haven’t been established within the account supplied.
Against the backdrop of the competing claims, group stakeholders known as on safety businesses to research each the circumstances surrounding the village head’s loss of life and the allegations arising from the assembly between Peter and Etukudoh.
They additionally urged all events to take care of peace and chorus from statements that would heighten tensions between Eka Midim and Afahaobong clans whereas the problems are being investigated.
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