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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State
By Akpan David, Calabar
Shooting is still being heard in parts of Ugep town in Yakurr LGA of Cross River State as rival cults groups are reportedly attacking each other
The shooting began some three hours after close if work Monday.
According to residents, Yesterday [Monday], gun shots were heard all over Dr Dean and popular Ambo Street axis of Calabar South at about 6pm.
According to a resident on Ambo Street, Mrs Martina James, the gun shots were sporadic and lasted over one hour.
“People were running helter-skelter in the ensuing melee while many hid inside abandoned cubicles and others peeped through pigeon holes.
“Those returning from their churches threw their Bibles and hymn books away and ran for dear lives”, she said.
Martina explained that a young man by name Ete was marking his baby’s birthday and some of the dignitaries included a popular law maker who has spent over 12 years in the House of Representatives who came with boys.
“It was these boys that were suspected to have fired continually to herald the arrival of the big boss.
“We had thought the cult boys were at it again. The shooting ceased at about 8.30pm when the big boss left”, another source explained.
In Ugep the shooting took a different dimension never before seen in the famous town.
Residents suspected cult rivalry as being the reason for the shooting which reportedly was targeted at business premises of rival member.
Eteng Joseph, a native of Ijiman clan said, “The Ugep people have been gripped with fears as sporadic gun fire is heard all over. We are so afraid of flying bullets which are falling on some roofs.”
In his Facebook comment, another chief and a renowned critic, Paul Ifere said, “Today in Ugep, I watched and was mesmerized as members of different cult groups brandished their armoury and weaponry openly. They threatened the peace and security of Ugep as the Chairman of council is no where to be found.
“I watched with tears as Puzzles Night Club was shattered. I watched as young men, businesses and livelihood were destroyed. I watched as a young man was shot and dropped into his swirl of blood and is near lifeless. There’s tension in Ugep now!”
