Okon Bassey
13 November 2007
Uyo — A group of militants yesterday invaded Ibeno community, which hosts Mobil Nigeria Unlimited oil facilities, wounded four people and killed a woman.
THISDAY checks revealed that the militants stormed the oil rich community through the Atlantic Ocean with 11 speed boats early in the morning.
Sources said the militants, all dressed in red attires, had difficulty in berthing near the Mobil installation which appeared to have been their target. This is because of stormy weather or high tide, and were forced to divert to a jetty near Naval base in the area.
According to sources, the militants, on arrival at the jetty, opened fire indiscriminately. The naval personnel who were taken unaware started running helter skelter, with some removing their uniforms.
During the invasion and shooting, stray bullets hit the woman while four others sustained injuries.
Four pump rifles and two boats with 75 horse power engines belonging to the Navy were taken away by the militants.
Their boats were destroyed, while the engines were taken away.
The militants met weak resistance initially, but were forced to retreat when the state Joint Military Task Force arrived at the scene.
The militants could not operate successfully due to logistic reason. They were said to have complained that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio refused to keep to his pledge to pay them N3 million ransom on the 18 people kidnapped from Ikot Abasi Local Government area of the state.
The militants were also said to have been angered by the governor's remarks that Akwa State is very peaceful, saying their action is to tell whosover has ears to know that the state is not peaceful.
Mobil Public Affairs Manager, Mrs Rita Umoren, said the company got security alert that a group of militants was moving towards Eket Local Government area of the state and relevant agency of the oil company responded immediately.
She said there was no attack on Mobil facilities, as production went on smoothly and the workers were not affected.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Mike Zuokumor, confirmed the story, saying there was heavy attack by the militants who came to the territory through the creeks of Ibeno.
He said the stiff resistant from the Police and the Joint Task Force helped to drive the militants away.
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