Suspended Village Head Faces Jail Time Over Alleged Terror Acts In Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State government has suspended the village head of Ikot Umo Essien in the  Essien Udim local government area, Chief Monday Benjamin Esu, over his alleged involvement in gangsterism, cultism and bankrolling irate youths to perpetrate terrorism and other violent crimes within his domain and its environs.

The commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Frank Archibong, who disclosed this, expressed dismay at the violation and desecration of the sacred traditional stool.

He added that the monarch was removed from office to enable his investigation and prosecution.

Archibong explained that the suspension, which is for a period of six months, “Will enable a full scale investigation into the various allegations levelled against the Village Head.”

He added, “The traditional ruler has some allegations of involvement in acts causing the breach of peace and security, including alleged sponsorship of vandalism and theft of facilities at newly constructed blocks of shops at Ikot Ekpenyong community market, a neighbouring village ,amid other reports of nefarious activities,” he stated.

LEADERSHIP gathered that in February 2024, hoodlums, allegedly from Ikot Umoh Essien village, stormed the local market in Ikot Ekpenyong community, demolishing, vandalising and looting at the newly constructed blocks of shops, a constituency project facilitated by the immediate past member representing Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, Rt. Hon Nsikak Ekong.

“The criminal elements went further to destroy the FADAMA-sponsored borehole and VIP lavatory within the same vicinity, carting away items such as aluminium roofing sheets, windows, doors, overhead tanks, water pump and generator.

“They also unleashed mayhem and intimidated residents of the area, making them to live in fear,” he recalled.

Apparently disturbed by the attitude of the monarch, Archibong, who had led the state government team on a fact -finding mission to ascertain the level of damage and vandalism of public assets, was also led to the village council hall of Ikot Umo Essien community, where the looted items were discovered.

Preliminary investigations, according to the commissioner, revealed the suspended village head as the prime suspect, and had been ordered to step down and “hand over all government properties in his possession to the Village Council Secretary during the period of his suspension.”