A/Ibom Govt Suspends Village Head Over Alleged Terrorism Acts

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

The village head of Ikot Umo Essien in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Monday Benjamin Esu, has been suspended by the state government for alleged acts of terrorism.

A statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Frank Archibong dated Wednesday in Uyo, indicated that the suspension which is for a period of six months, would enable full scale investigation into the various allegations levelled against the Village Head.

It cited allegations of involvement in acts causing the breach of peace and security, including alleged sponsorship of vandalism and theft of facilities at newly constructed blocks of shops at Ikot Ekpenyong Community market (a neighbouring village), amid other reports of nefarious activities by Chief Monday Esu.

The statement recalled that in February 2024 hoodlums allegedly from Ikot Umo Essien Village had stormed the local market in Ikot Ekpenyong Community, demolishing, vandalising and looting at the newly constructed blocks of shops, a constituency project facilitated by the immediate past member Representing Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, Rt. Hon Nsikak Ekong.

The hoodlums the statement added, went further to destroy the Fadama sponsored borehole and VIP Lavatory within the same vicinity, carting away items such as aluminium roofing sheets, windows, doors, overhead tanks, water pump and generator. They also unleashed mayhem and intimidated residents of the area making them to live in fear.

“The Commissioner who had led a state government team on fact-finding mission to the scene of the incident, to ascertain the level of damages, was also led to the village council hall of Ikot Umo Essien where the looted items were found.

“Preliminary investigations fingered at Chief Monday Esu, Village head of Ikot Umo Essien as the prime suspect.

“The suspended Chief Monday Esu has been ordered to handover all government items in his possession to the Village Council Secretary during the period of his suspension,” the statement concluded.