Udianga Enem community in Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa Ibom State has announced an interim village head to fill the vacuum in its traditional council following the sacking of Chief Mende Josiah Udoekoiko by cult members.
Chief John Mark Obonukut, the interim head, is to take charge of the council affairs pending the return of the village head from exile.
A family head of the community, Chief Etim Etotok, said on Monday that Mende Josiah Udoekoriko reportedly fled his country home following a cult attack in his house which left no fewer than four people dead including a pastor.
He said the deposed monarch was taking refuge in Nto Obo Village and would only return when normalcy returned to the community.
“We cannot operate in a vacuum; because of the crises, the entire village was completely deserted and our people fled to safer areas including Iwukem, Utu Etim Ekpo, Abak, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene, to avoid being killed by the hoodlums,” Etotok said.
He added that “the displaced people are only returning back cautiously because of the Police presence.”
He lamented that “we are just trying to pick the broken pieces of our lives.”
He added that disturbed by the vacuum created and lack of authorities to direct the affairs of the troubled community, concerned elders set up an interim regime to run the community pending when the deposed ruler would return from exile.
The new person, according to him is “to give the village a sense of direction and to effectively coordinate the displaced local residents trying to return to the village.”
Etotok expressed the hope that the launch of the Police Special Squad would quicken the peace process and encourage the return of the fleeing members of the community.
The launching of the special squad by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Zuabiru Muazu, followed series of cult attacks in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo local government area.
