By Solomon Okpo
A wave of violence and insecurity has rocked the Itumbonuso community in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, prompting an urgent petition to Governor Umo Eno for immediate intervention to halt further bloodshed and safeguard residents.
In a strongly-worded letter dated July 15, 2025, and signed by Comrade Ekomobong Etim Adaiseh, a concerned indigene of the community, the state government was alerted to sustained attacks, kidnappings, and killings allegedly perpetrated by suspected assailants from the neighboring Abam community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.
The petition, also copied to top security and political stakeholders including the Commissioner of Police, State Director of DSS, the Chairman of Ini LGA, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, described the situation as “no longer a boundary dispute but a full-blown humanitarian and security crisis.”
According to Adaiseh, the latest incident occurred just a day before the petition was submitted, during which over ten youths were reportedly kidnapped while heading to their farms. The community, he said, has suffered multiple fatalities and injuries in similar attacks over the years, leaving villagers traumatized and the local economy crippled.
“Itumbonuso is not just a rural community,” Adaiseh emphasized, “it is a major agricultural backbone of Akwa Ibom State, known for producing rice, palm oil, cocoa, cucumber, plantain, okra, and other crops. But today, our farmers are afraid to go to their farms.”
In his appeal, he called for:
1. Immediate deployment of security forces to the troubled area to prevent further loss of life.
2. A thorough investigation and prosecution of attackers to ensure justice and deterrence.
3. A joint border resolution committee involving Akwa Ibom and Abia States to settle lingering land disputes.
4. Emergency relief and rehabilitation support for affected residents.
5. Physical presence and visit by government officials to boost the community’s morale and reassure residents.
The petition highlights a growing concern over the vulnerability of border communities in Akwa Ibom State and the urgent need for coordinated inter-state dialogue and security collaboration.
As of press time, neither the state government nor the Akwa Ibom Police Command has issued a public statement on the matter.
The Itumbonuso people await decisive action, hoping that Governor Umo Eno, renowned for his people-centered governance will rise to the occasion to restore peace, protect livelihoods, and preserve the dignity of one of Akwa Ibom’s key agrarian communities.
