2019: Two shot dead as Assembly aspirant consults in Akwa Ibom

Two men have been killed in Nsit Atai Local Council Area of Akwa Ibom
state in a skirmish between the police and youths from Ibedu clan
during a consultation by a House of Assembly aspirant, Mr. Nseabasi
Udoeyo, ahead of the 2019 polls.

Mr David Udo Okon from Ikot Asen village and Victor Etim Etim from
Ikot Nkpene village were allegedly killed at the weekend by police
bullet when council secretary and House of Assembly aspirant went to
consult the village heads in Ibedu group of villages over his
ambition.

According to eyewitnesses, "the consultation, which was to be held at
Asan Ibedu, met resistance by some violent youths who insisted that
only party candidates and not aspirants are usually received at the
traditional venue.

"At that point, there was exchange of verbal blows between the council
secretary (aspirant), the anti-cultism police and the youths who were
at the venue for routine cleaning exercise.

"The verbal blows turned into a full fight between the anti-cultism
police and the youths, with two of them (youths) trying to snatch a
rifle from the policemen which led to the police shooting two persons
dead on the spot."

It was also gathered that three cars, a Nissan SUV, Honda End of
Discussion, and a Camry car among other valuables were destroyed in
the melee.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Mr MacDonald
Ogbeche, who confirmed the incident, said the matter is under
investigation, and that the police authorities would soon make a
statement on it.