By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo

All is not well with the indigenes and residents of Ikot Mbon Ikono Village in Uyo Local Government Area as the community goes through retrogression and crisis due to suspected malfunctioning leadership of the Village Head-elect, Obong Umoren Stephen and his family members who are said to be the deciding factors in the village.

Recent happenings in the community has thrown many into disarray while others are on exile, two of their sons are already cooling their feet in the prison custody, while others scampered for their lives and some business premises closed down for fear of reprisal attack.

This came to the fore when our reporter gathered that an indigene of the village who is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Uyo , Rev. Prof Imo Umoinyang narrowly escaped assassination attempt.

The incident which occurred on Monday 20th January, 2025 was alleged to have been reportedly carried out by Mr Udeme Umoren Stephen, who is the son of the Village Head-elect. According to our findings, the culprit was alleged to have accused the Professor of taking side with Ekpeno whom he claimed to have wounded his brother, Mr sifon Umoren Stephen during a fight. The culprit allegedly attacked the Professor with matchet resulting in a serious damage to his vehicle windscreen on the said day, after he (the lecturer) warned him to desist from fight with a fellow Community man named Ekpono Okon Effiong over Minor issue surrounding collection of Electricity Bills.
Meanwhile, the said Ekpono Okon (sick) has also been arrested by the Police at the instance of the Village Head-elect after he (Ekpono Okon Effiong) bites the youth leader who is also the son of the village Head and caused facial injury to him in his chic during a fight at Ekpeno’s shop now closed down on instructions of the Village Head-elect who vowed to revenge further if the shop is reopened

Mrs Emem Ekpeno further lamented that following the arrest and detention of the husband and closure of the shop, life has become unbearably difficult for her and her children as the shop was the only means of livelihood of the family. She therefore pleaded for help and intervention from the relevant authorities

According to eye witnessed and the Wife of the victim, Emem Ekpono Okon, who narrated the incident, said the suspect, Udeme Umoren Stephen has been arrested by the Divisional Police Headquarters- Ediene Ikot Obio Imo and was taken to court on Wednesday 22nd January, 2025 where he was charged for attempted murder and was remanded in prison custody until February 14, 2025 following petition by Rev Prof Imo Umoinyang.

Speaking with this reporter on his way to the Police Station, the acting Village Head confirmed that, rampant incidents of vandalization of electricity cables and transformer has been going on in the village in recent times which thrown the axis to blackout as a result of activities of some criminal elements there.

Obong Umoren decried insecurity and lack of basic amenities by government in the community and expressed sadness on non issuance of certificate of recognition and stipend to him since assuming the stool. A situation he said has affected his administration of the community and therefore called on the government to come to their aid.

The Clan Head of Ikono, Eteidung Ikpe George when contacted to speak on the issues and development of the area however declined comment, as he was equally rushing to the Police Station on the same day.

Also, the Secretary of Uyo Local Government Area, Mr Ubong Udofia, an indigene of the Ikono Ibom Clan equally declined when contacted for comments with a view that it’s the chairman of the council that is in better position to comment on such issues, while the council chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo was indisposed as at press time.

Meanwhile, it has become imperative for the Uyo local government council , state government and the Uyo local government, Uyo Traditional rulers council to urgently look into the lingering crises in the village to avoid being escalated. In the same vein the State government and various Development agencies should channel their efforts towards the plight of the people and residents of Ikot Mbon Ikono, Uyo LGA as the community is in sorry state.

Our reporter observed that Ikot Mbon Ikono community is in dire need of government attention as it remains one of the worst communities in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital with poorest infrastructures, bad and dilapidated and untered road network with no physical government present.