By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Residents of Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State otherwise referred to as the most notorious neighborhood in the State have in the past one week been witnessing another gang war leading to loss of lives and properties.
The area had been in peace for about 3-4 months preceded by about 8 months of unrest caused by activities of gangsters which led to the loss of over 20 lives and properties.
According to our findings it all began on Wednesday 5th October, 2016 at a football field called Celtic in Dan Archibong Street formerly called White House where a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) was shot while playing football by an unknown group of boys. Though we learnt he didn’t die but is in a critical condition with no news about the whereabouts of his shooters.
On Sunday 9th October, 2016 at same Celtic during the evening hour while another football match was ongoing between two teams, an unnamed member of Mafia Confraternity was shot by some Baggars when he wanted to play a penalty, though he tried taking few steps to run but fell and died.
Furthermore, on Monday 10th October, 2016 a leader of a vigilante group (Ibod-Ufok) that covers Egerton, Ewa Ekeng, Hawkins, Becroft, Watt and its environ which has played major role in reducing robberies was shot dead within the morning hours close to his house.
Other information surrounding his death has it that he was killed by members of Skylo, another notorious gang that specializes in armed robbery. Though, others say he, Ibod-Ufok is a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity but CrossRiverWatch couldn’t confirm.
The next day being Tuesday 11th October, 2016 a splinter group of the SVC were said to between 9:45am – 10:05 attacked one Mr. Ukpabio in front of his house at Egerton (going from Watt roundabout, the second compound after the Cross River State Water Board Limited abandoned overhead tank).
According to cross section of eye witness Ukpabio was inside his house when some boys later confirmed to be Baggars came armed with pistol and machetes, brought him out to the road and started stabbing him and using the machetes on him, though he didn’t die but sustained deep cuts from head to toe and is recuperating in an unknown location.
Also that he, Ukpabio is a member of no gang with many wondering why they would want him dead. Furthermore, as a result of his attack which attracted sympathy from the community, friends and loved ones, residents started contributing money for his treatment while others donated blood because “his is a bad condition” his family member said.
Within the same hour Ukpabio was attacked another set of Baggars were having a romance with men of the Nigerian Police at Eyamba Street Bayside where a policeman (Inspector Edet Archibong) was killed with another attack on the Police at Bogobiri by Queen Duke street where the gangsters believed to be Baggars numbering over 50 attacked, two killed, several wondered and one arrested as well as at Bedwell it was learnt Mafias collided with the police and exchanged gunshots but no life was lost.
These gang clashes are not just accompanied by killings but with lots of armed robberies and maiming of innocent ones.
Also, as a result Calabar South has turned cold again with residents panicking as major business areas now like grave yard from 7pm. It has also brought intense fear and threat to the life of the local vigilante group members of late Ibod-Ufok.