Family Seeks Justice As Suspected Cultists Kill Farmer In Akwa Ibom

The family of Mr. Itoro Jimmy Umanah, has raised the alarm over his gruesome murder by cultists suspected to be hired assassins.

The middle-aged man, a petty farmer, who also survived with his family from other menials, including palm fruit harvesting, was killed by a gang of hoodlums, who invaded his home at the weekend and dealt several machete cuts, dismembering him.

The sad incident, according to family sources, occurred at about 10 00pm, when the victim, his wife and three children were already asleep in the remote part of Udianga Enem village, Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, at the weekend.

Although the immediate cause of the gruesome murder of the 50 – year – old could not be ascertained, it was gathered that the killing may not be unconnected with the perennial family dispute over a parcel of land being laid claim to by other family members.

It was gathered that five machete-wielding men stormed the deceased’s home at Umanah Atiyah’s compound, Udianga Enem village, at about 10:00pm.

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Recalling the incident, the distraught wife called on the government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.

“They came at about 10:00 pm, my husband, who was tired after returning from work was sleeping at the veranda and resting because of heat inside. They (the assailants) came, called my husband out to the road.

“At the time he shouted and raised the alarm, but no one came to his rescue and suddenly his voice could not be heard again. At that point, I took my children and escaped into the backyard bush.

“In the morning, sympathisers arrived to see his dismembered remains. I have three children and the most senior is doing final year in a monotechnic in Uyo,” she recounted amid an outpouring of grief by the local residents from the community and neighbouring Ikot Obioma and Ikot Udobong group of villages.

Another family member, who prefered to remain anonymous, recalled that the late Itoro had been having a running battle with his elder brother’s family over a persistent land dispute before the sad incident.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the village chairman, Chief Lawson Marcus Akpanowo, said he had taken the matter before Police Division at Utu Etim Ekpo, headquarters of Etim Ekpo LGA, adding that they had secured the Police consent to bury his remains, which were interred on Sunday.

“After securing Police consent, we buried the deceased on Sunday. The Police team had come to see the body cut into pieces, and we were asked to work in synergy and do some internal investigations,” Chief Akpanowo, disclosed.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incident, disclosing that “investigation is ongoing.”