Akwa Ibom Government Donates Relief Items To IDPs

Governor Udom Urges Militants To Put An End To Their Killings And Get Absorbed Into The Society

Relief items worth millions of naira, has been donated by the Akwa Ibom State Government to the internally displaced victims of the Etim Ekpo/Ukanafun crisis.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, while delivering the items to the people in Etim Ekpo at the weekend, challenged the people to give him peace and receive development in return, he described the killings of innocent citizens in the area as senseless.

Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas since 2017 has been marked with the problem of insecurity, which has led to kidnap and death of innocent persons, as well as making people flee their homes for safety of their lives.

While addressing the claims by some stakeholders that crisis and insecurity in the area are politically motivated and sponsored, he challenged them to state how youth got the monies they use in acquiring guns and other sophisticated weapons they use.

He appealed to the militants to lay down their arms as the state government was ready to rehabilitate and get them fully integrated into the society.

The governor regretted the number of houses and lives lost to the crisis, but expressed optimism that if youths, women, traditional leaders and everyone within the affected communities sincerely work to restore peace, such may be realized as soon as possible.

“It is not easy for me as a father to sleep or be happy when I hear that people in my community are not living in peace. I call on youths of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun to embrace peace.

“If you know your brother or your son who is involved, please tell him to sheath his sword. Without peace, there can be no development. I have asked you several times to give me peace and development will come here.

Political stakeholders, chiefs, youths, religious leaders and women leaders, among others who spoke at the venue, assured the governor of their desire to talk to those involved for an enduring peace to return to the areas.