UYO, Nigeria — A brutal wave of violence has swept through several communities in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, as rival fraternities vie for control of local minibus parks, sparking a confrontation that has left an unknown number of people dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
The feud between the Klaans and the Black Axe confraternities has instilled such fear in the local populace that many have fled the affected areas to avoid the threat of further clashes and possible reprisal attacks.
“The situation is dire. We are caught in the crossfire of these menacing groups,” said a local resident of Ekpri Nsukara, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reports that the clash has resulted in four confirmed fatalities, a figure that some locals dispute, claiming the death toll is far higher. The police spokesperson, Superintendent Odiko Macdon, provided this official number in a statement, but the volatile situation has made an accurate count difficult.
“The war started in Idu, in the Uruan Local Government Area, and spread like wildfire to the local communities of Use Offot, Ekpri Nsukara, and Oniong in Uyo LGA,” Macdon said. “These acts of violence are unacceptable, and we are doing our utmost to restore peace and order.”
Trouble reportedly flared on Sunday when the two fraternities engaged in a fierce fight over alleged encroachment into parks designated for a different group to collect parking tolls. The disagreement quickly escalated, spiraling into a full-blown turf war.
Despite the violence, the police command has assured residents that every effort is being made to bring the situation under control. Commissioner of Police Olatoye Durosinmi has committed to finding and apprehending those responsible, deploying tactical resources to restore order and track down the perpetrators.
Macdon stated, “The Commissioner has sent a clear warning to perpetrators of these dastardly acts to desist forthwith or face the dire consequences of their actions.”
As the sun sets over the troubled communities of Uyo, the residents can only hope that their pleas for peace are heard and that the morning brings an end to the bloodshed.
