Reacting to the clash, the Akwa Ibom state government has called upon the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to expedite action on the demarcation of its boundary with Abia State, in order to avert further loss of lives and property.
Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Engineer Patrick Ekpotu, made the call after inspecting houses destroyed in Abiakpo Ikot Okum, Abama and Esa Ikwen villages in Obot Akara local government area by persons suspected to be from Ariam in Abia state.
Engineer Ekpotu called on the Abia state government to rein in its citizens, as a way of forestalling an escalation of the conflict between peoples of the two states.
While commending the indigenes of the affected villages for not avenging the destruction of their property and killing of their kinsmen, Engr. Ekpotu sympathized with victims of the unprovoked attack.
The Deputy Governor said he will liaise with his Abia state counterpart and the NBC to ensure that peace returns to the areas.
The Chairman of Obot Akara Local Government Area, Mr. Shilling Paul lamented that the insecurity caused by the attack and lack of access to farmlands is threatening food security in the area and sued for the state government’s intervention.
The Paramount Ruler of Obot Akara Okuku Uwa Umo Adiaka, who conducted the Deputy Governor round the scene of the carnage, mentioned that his subjects have suffered untold hardship, occasioned by the aggression from their Ariam neighbours.
