Youths of Obolo ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibom State have demanded the arrest and prosecution of sponsors of the recent invasion, and wanton destruction of lives and property in Iwuochang in Ibeno local government area last Tuesday over Stubbs Creek Forest Reserves.

The youths made their demand during the joint meeting ofthe National Executive Council of Obolo Youth Coalition Worldwide (OYC), Oro Youth Movement, (OYOM) ljaw Youth Council, Akwa Ibom State(IYC), Ibeno Youth Leaders, and Eastern Obolo Youth Leaders, held same last Tuesday after the mayhem caused in Ibeno.

The youths expressed disappointment that the state government did not when it was alerted severally ahead of the attack.

This was contained in a statement signed by Emmanuel Essang, and Comr Romokere Mark, the President General, and Secretary General of Obolo Youths Coalition (OYC) respectively and six other youth leaders

The statement which was made available to newsmen weekend in Uyo reads in part ” We Obolo Youths condemn the invasion, wanton destruction of properties worth billions of Naira belonging to our brothers in Ibeno LGA.

“We, hereby demand the arrest and prosecution those who are the sponsors of this unprovoked attack on our people in their communities.

“We want our brothers from Ogoni Kingdom to warn their sons who have crossed the border to join the people of Eket to bring war to our domain that we shall not be intimidated by such acts of betrayal.

” We are not cowards, we shall protect our domain. We are aware Akwa Ibom State Government was informed earlier about the planned attack but it did nothing about it”.

However, the State governor, PastorUmo Eno, according to a statement had last Friday visited residents of the affectedcommunities, as well as victims of theattack at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

Eno in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Mr, Ekerete Udoh, reminded people from the three local government areas of Ibeno, Eket and Esit Eket who have been in conflict over ownership of the Stubbs creek Forest Reserves, of their filial and communal ties.

He therefore warned those behind the conflict saying :”I have credible intelligence on those who are sponsoring our young people to go out and cause this mayhem. After this warning today, if this happens again, I can assure you that government will call you out, and you will face the penalty squarely.

“So I want to appeal to our political gladiators to stop taking sides and fanning the embers of disunity. We are leaders and we cannot be sponsoring young people to take the laws into their hands. We will not allow it.

“The two communities are united in so many ways. There is high level of inter-marriages between yourselves, and I do not see any reason for these repeated clashes. By the grace of God, we are determined to put an end to this problem.

“I want to say this to the chairmen of the three local government councils: You have the responsibility to maintain law and order in your respective domains.

” If this should happen again in your domains, you know you are transition chairmen; I will remove you immediately, and I promise you, I will!” (Vanguard)