Akamkpa Monarch Condemns Police Shooting, Pushes for Peaceful Resolution in Obung Crisis
By Ekanem ASUQUO
The Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa, HRM Ophot Agbor Ewa Ebani, has appealed for peace and industrial harmony between Akamkpa Quarry and its host community, Obung, following a violent clash that led to the death of a youth and destruction of property.
The monarch made the appeal during a visit to Obung to assess the causes of the crisis, which claimed the life of 34-year-old Henry Ntui and left three others severely injured. The casualties followed a police operation in which officers of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly stormed the community after a distress call and opened fire on armed youths gathered in the village square.
“The police shooting that led to the death of our son is highly condemnable. We will liaise with government to uncover the truth, ensure justice, and prevent a recurrence,” HRM Ebani stated.
He assured the people that government would work closely with the community to address the root causes of the fracas, guarantee lasting peace, and create an enabling environment for industrial growth and investment.
The monarch also charged companies operating in the area to strengthen their corporate social responsibilities and work with stakeholders to promote unity, understanding, and sustained industrial harmony that would attract further investment to Akamkpa.
A member of the Obung Traditional Rulers’ Council, Ntufam Iyamba Dennis Effiong, condemned what he described as an “unprovoked police attack” on community youths.
Effiong blamed the crisis on the alleged high-handedness of the embattled village head, Ntufam Ignatius Olam, explaining that nine youths who were dismissed had spearheaded calls for the quarry company to fulfill its social responsibility obligations.
“Despite the company generating wealth, our community lacks good roads, electricity, scholarships for children, streetlights, and basic infrastructure. Meanwhile, Akamkpa Quarry ships out thousands of trucks of chippings from our ancestral land, and we have no knowledge of how royalties are managed,” Effiong lamented.
He added that when the youths sought Olam’s intervention, he chose to act unilaterally. While they awaited his response, the police reportedly invaded the community and opened fire on unarmed youths.
“We want to know who invited the police,” Effiong stressed.
Other community leaders, including Ntufam David Mbung, Obung woman leader Ntunkea Anyadima Augusta, and Kelvin Ntui, elder brother of the slain youth, called for the banishment of the embattled village head and his family.
They accused him of embezzlement, lack of accountability, administrative high-handedness, and running the affairs of the village for personal gain, actions they said fueled the crisis and ultimately led to the tragic death of a young man.
