There is fear in Afaha Oku, Ikpa community, in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State after youths of the area set two Hausa scrap metal dealers ablaze in retaliation for their involvement in the killing of an Indigene identified as Anietie.
A resident of the community who pleaded anonymity told journalists in Uyo on Monday that the incident happened on Sunday January, 2, 2022 about 9:00am.
Narrating the incident, the source said, “What happened was that the youths of the village set ablaze two Hausa scrap metal collectors who killed an indigene of this Afaha Oku village, one Anietie over a misunderstanding.
“Anietie went to collect his clothes from the Laundry that Sunday morning, while returning to his compound, he encountered two Hausa scrap collectors, with some items they removed.
“I was told that he accosted them and asked them what they were doing in his compound; so the two Hausa boys got angry and started beating him until he collapsed. When Anietie’s brother who was inside the house saw what happened he started shouting for help.”
He added that some youths arrived at the scene and caught the two Hausa scrap collectors and when information filtered that Anietie was on the way to the hospital, the angry youths immediately beat the scrap collectors into the gutter and immediately set them ablaze before the arrival of the police.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon confirmed the incident adding that the commissioner of Police Andrew Amiengheme has ordered a discreet investigation into the matter.
Odiko explained that Police preliminary investigations revealed that within the hours when people had left for Church, the two scrap metal dealers entered Anietie’s House and stole certain items.
He warned people against taking laws into their hands, noting that the right thing is for people to always hand over whoever was caught in the act of committing a crime to the police for discreet Investigation and prosecution.