The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with renewed communal clashes between Ukonteghe Uda and Enwang communities in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
18 expended cartridges, one live 7.62mm ammunition, and five expended 7.62mm ammunition were recovered by the police from the suspects.
our correspondent gathered that the crisis started when some youths from a particular community dragged a member of the other community into the bush and later murdered him.
The state police public relation officer Odiko Macdon confirmed the development while speaking with newsmen in Uyo, the state capital.
Naija News understands that some houses were burnt down during the clash between the communities but the police however denied knowledge of the killing of any soldier or police officer during the fracas as been spread in some rumours.
Macdon narrated that the Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, has deployed more officers to the scene and also visited the communities to pacify and engage with the stakeholders there.
“The truth of the matter is that we have arrested five suspects in connection with the latest escalation. We have also recovered 18 expended cartridges, one live 7.62mm ammunition, five expended 7.62mm ammunition.
“What really led to this recent crisis is the unconfirmed report that youths of a particular community drag a member of the other community into the bush and killed him. This led to the issue where some houses were destroyed. I’m not aware of any army officer or policeman wounded in the crisis.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered the reinforcement of more officers to dominate the scene and has personally visited the area to engage with critical stakeholders. As we speak normalcy has returned and we hope that it will be sustained.
“We’re praying that all options should be brought to the table so that lasting peace would be achieved between the two warring communities,” Macdon said.
Meanwhile, officers of the Nigerian Police on Thursday night fled the Aboh Mbaise Divisional Police Headquarters in Imo State as hoodlums attacked and burnt down the police facility.
Sources told The PUNCH that the hoodlums who were carrying inflammable objects threw them at the police formation and ignited the environment.
The development caused tension in the area, as the policemen on guard, suspects, and natives ran into nearby bushes.