One army officer, villager hospitalised in A’Ibom communal clash

An Army officer and a villager have been hospitalised while several cars were set ablaze in the Ette community of Ikot-Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following a clash that erupted in the area on Tuesday.

Our correspondent gathered that the clash started following a misunderstanding between the Army officer and diesel thieves in the community.

A community source who pleaded not to be mentioned told our correspondent in Uyo on Wednesday that trouble started when the army officer (name withheld) was pursuing diesel thieves in an attempt to arrest them.

The source added that members of the community descended on him, and in an attempt to escape from the mob action, he shot at one of the villagers.

The enraged residents, the source added, blocked a section of the East-West Road, forcing motorists going to Port Harcourt to divert to other routes for their safety.

Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, DSP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident, said the command had begun an investigation into the incident, which she noted had been brought under control.

According to her, “The command is aware of the incident. What actually happened was the case of an army officer who was pursuing diesel thieves. When the community descended on him, he attempted to escape from the mob action. So, he fired and eventually shot one of the villagers.

“The Army man and the villager who got shot have been taken to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the situation is under control, an investigation is ongoing and further details will be communicated.”