AKPABIO INTERVENES IN ABIA/AKWA IBOM BORDER CLASH

Read Time:3 Minute, 5 Second

The Senator representing Abia Central in the National Assembly, Austin Akobundu, has assured that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is taking decisive steps to resolve the recurring border skirmishes between Ikwuano in Abia State and Obot Akara in Akwa Ibom State.

His statement follows the recent killing of an indigene of Ariam Usaka Community in Ikwuano LGA by gunmen from the neighbouring Isie-Kwen, Ikrokwum, and Abama communities in Obot Akara LGA.

During his visit to the bereaved family in Ariam Usaka, Akobundu condemned the persistent bloodshed over the contested Ndurukpe farmland and called for calm on both sides.

He stressed the need for an end to the violence, urging all parties to embrace peace.

He revealed that Senate President Akpabio had swiftly responded to the crisis by establishing a team to investigate its root causes and ensure a peaceful resolution.

“When I was alerted by the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA about the unfortunate incident, I immediately informed the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio.

“As a peace-loving leader, he swung into action, setting up a team dedicated to resolving this matter and bringing an end to the needless loss of human lives,” Akobundu stated.

The senator also highlighted his ongoing discussions with Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, and Patrick Umoh, representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency.

“Both lawmakers have shown great commitment to resolving this dispute, and I assure you that, under the directive of the Senate President, this matter will be amicably settled,” he said.

Akobundu noted that he and Hon. Aguocha had taken immediate steps to prevent further casualties, emphasizing that lasting peace would be achieved through constructive dialogue rather than inflammatory public statements.

“Issuing a statement without engaging stakeholders would be counterproductive. What we need is a collaborative approach where all concerned parties come together in good faith.

“My focus, alongside the relevant stakeholders, is to ensure peace. Rest assured, I will not disappoint you,” he promised, adding that he would support the deceased’s widow and four children.

The slain victim, 38-year-old Otutubuike Innocent, was part of a search party looking for another missing youth, Ebene Emele, when he was ambushed and shot dead by suspected gunmen from the Akwa Ibom communities. Emele had reportedly been kidnapped days earlier on the disputed land.

Expressing deep concern, the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr Anthony Nwaubani, decried the continuous attacks by people from Obot Akara and Ini LGAs, as well as the destruction of farmlands. He called on authorities to clearly demarcate the boundary, which he noted had been a subject of contention for over a century.

Similarly, the President-General of Ariam Usaka Development Union, Chief Charles Ugboaja, accused the Isie-Ikwen, Ikrokwum, and Abama communities of violating longstanding natural boundaries that had been recognised by their ancestors.

“The boundary is clearly marked by a thick forest that has remained untouched for centuries. Authorities must intervene to reaffirm the rightful demarcation.

“We demand the return of our abducted son—alive or his remains—and urgent relief for our farmers, who have been unable to work due to the ongoing conflict,” he asserted.

Adding his voice, the monarch of Ikemba Autonomous Community and Chairman of Ariam Usaka Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Joseph Obaji, called for the implementation of previous findings by a Federal Government delegation and the Boundary Commission.

“The reports confirmed that the disputed land belongs to Ariam Usaka. The boundary line is clear: if coming from Ikwuano, it is after the army post; if coming from Ikot Ekpene, it is before the army post.

“The authorities must enforce this demarcation to end these needless clashes,” he stated.