Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, was, on Tuesday up in flames, following the clash between the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at Ikpe Annang, Ikot Ekpene Local Government area of the state during political campaigns.
As a result, men of the armed forces have completely taken over security in the state.
It was gathered that the clash resulted in the killing of eight people, leaving many wounded while several vehicles were destroyed.
It was gathered that a reprisal attack led to a stampede in the state capital which led to blockage of all access roads to the city.
Unconfirmed reports said that in the course of the protest, three people were killed on the Olu-Obasanjo Way, former Abak Road, with several government vehicles and billboards belonging to Governor Godswill Akpabio destroyed by supporters of the ACN.
Also at the state secretariat, hundreds of brand new vehicles of the state government meant for the state mass transit scheme were burnt, besides others burnt in the course of the protest at different locations in the metropolis.
The state practically came to a standstill as commercial transporters fled the road while commercial activities were completely paralysed as business owners locked up their shops.
In the midst of the crisis, Governor Akpabio, who would have ordinarily taken the Olu-Obasanjo Way to the state capital and his convoy, while returning from a campaign in Mkpat Enin and Abak local government areas of the state, had to divert to another route; the Idoro Road to the Hill Top Mansion, amidst tight security.
The Director, Media and Strategy of Senator John Udoedehe Campaign Group, Honourable Thomas O. Akpabio, confirmed the attack on his campaign train, saying many of the ACN supporters were wounded and vehicles burnt.
The chairman, media and publicity sub-committee of the ACN, who spoke to newsmen, said “we went to campaign in Ikot Ekpene and some people stopped us on the way from Ikot Obong Edong, near the road leading to Ikono Local Government.”
He said further that “they started throwing stones at us, shooting at us and in the process damaged our cars. We had to return to Uyo because we were empty handed. As I’m talking to you now, we don’t know the whereabouts of our governorship candidate.”
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