The Akwa Ibom State Government has reportedly evacuated 34 of its stranded indigenes from Katsina State.
The 34 residents were said to have been stranded in some communities in Katsina State following reported attacks by terrorists in the northern state.
The returnees arrived in Uyo, the state capital on Saturday.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, while receiving them at the Women Development Centre along IBB Way, Uyo, said, “The attention of the state government was drawn to a viral video on social media where some displaced Akwa Ibom indigenes in Katsina State were calling for help, because their houses, shops and other sources of livelihood were either vandalised or burnt by bandits.
“So, the state government immediately ordered for their evacuation and safe return to the state. The governor has made adequate arrangements for them to be received.
“Relief materials will also be released to them, and we will then begin to reintegrate all of them with members of their families immediately.”
The President of the Akwa Ibom Community in Katsina State, who is also a returnee, Chief Effiom Williams, recounted how he moved other affected indigenes of the state to his house for safety.
Williams, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics from the Federal College of Education, Katsina State, said, “I got a distress call from our members in Batsari, Danja, Dan Musa and other local government areas that their houses and shops were being attacked.
“I quickly mobilised them into safety in my house. When some of them arrived, they had nothing left because they had lost everything to the crises, so the community had to raise money in order to get them clothes and other effects.
“We later reached out to the state government for assistance. We are very happy that the Governor has intervened.”
Another returnee, who is from Ikono LGA, Elizabeth Emmanuel, explained that her shop and house were razed by arsonists who attacked their community at night, killing several people while sleeping.
Emmanuel, who resided in Jibia LGA of Katsina State, expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for the timely intervention.
She said, “We started hearing shootings at night and we all started running for our dear lives. All I could take from the house were my children and a few clothes. Luckily for us, we were escorted to the IDP camp by soldiers.”
A cobbler, who preferred anonymity, said that he escape from being killed in the attacks by dint of luck.
