50 Houses Razed In Communal Clash

At least 50 houses were razed on Christmas day in Ibeno, southern Akwa Ibom, by a group of people suspected to be members of a rival community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that no life was lost in the fire which destroyed household property and outboard engines in Idung Abasi Ekwere fishing settlement in Ibeno.

Police sources in Ibeno confirmed the incident and said that no arrest had been made.

NAN gathered from a police source that the incident took place around midnight on Christmas day.

The arsonists, according to members of the Ibeno community, came from a rival community in a nearby local government.

An early morning fire had on December 5 destroyed more than 10 houses at Iwuokpon, a coastal settlement by Qua Iboe River in Ibeno, rendering hundreds of fishermen homeless.

A community leader in Ibeno, Chief John U. Etim, told NAN on Wednesday that the incidents took the community by surprise.

“We were rather surprised and indeed cannot believe that those behind the fire disaster can be from a community that shares the same affinity with us.

“We are hoping that the police will uncover those behind this wicked act during the Christmas season that is characterised by love for one another.”