Akwa Ibom: Community leaders search probe into dying of Midim Abak clan chairman

The Eka Midim Community Worldwide and anxious village and household heads in Abak Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom have referred to as on the state authorities and related authorities to research the dying of Obong Saviour Abatai, a distinguished indigene of the realm.

Apostle Sylvester Ibanga, Chairman of the Conference of Village Heads in Abak LGA, made the decision at a information briefing in Abak.

Ibanga mentioned the circumstances surrounding the sudden dying of Abatai, who was the Chairman of the Midim Abak Clan Council and Village Head of Ekpat Iduot till his dying, had been suspicious.

He alleged that one Nsikan Okon Peter, who labored with the deceased as a foreman at his development website, was the final particular person seen ingesting native gin, popularly often known as kaikai, with him on the evening earlier than his dying.

“Nsikan Okon Peter, who labored as a foreman for Abatai, visited him at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, and drank with him.

“Before leaving, the deceased went into his room and gave him N20,000, which he owed him.

“But the suspect went outside and told the deceased’s son to try to obtain his father’s ATM PIN because his health condition was not good,” Ibanga mentioned.

The group questioned why Peter would make such a press release when, in accordance with Ibanga, the deceased had not proven any indicators of sickness earlier than the go to.

Ibanga alleged that Abatai began vomiting blood at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and died at about 4 a.m. the identical day.

The group referred to as for an intensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the dying.

It additionally condemned what it described as derogatory and malicious statements in opposition to Prof. Nkeruwem Etukudo, Chairman of the group’s Board of Trustees (BoT), for insisting on an intensive investigation.

Ibanga alleged that Umoren Ebong and Peter had not too long ago engaged in a social media marketing campaign to discredit Etukudo.

He described Etukudo as a revered determine throughout Nigeria and urged members of the general public to not unfold falsehoods in opposition to him for private acquire.

“No particular person or group ought to, whether or not for monetary inducement or out of jealousy, affiliate him with falsehoods or try and smear his status.

“Prof. Etukudo has a reputation and name to protect. He is not a tyrant for insisting on a thorough investigation,” Ibanga mentioned.

He additional urged the people and teams involved to desist from what he described as a marketing campaign of calumny and the misrepresentation of points involving Etukudo and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The group additionally referred to as for an investigation into allegations circulating on social media, which it attributed to Ebong.

“Let it be known to everybody that the people of Midim Clan will not take it kindly if any indigene of the clan engages in such an act or is paid to do so,” Ibanga mentioned.

Also talking, 92-year-old Patrick Ekerette, the Akuku of the 12 Villages in Midim and Village Head of Ntong Ntong, mentioned Midim Abak was struggling due to the ambitions of some people locally.

He mentioned 14 of the 17 villages in Midim at present lacked entry to the Midim Customary Court advanced, which he described because the place the place Midim Abak was based.

“We are suffering because of the ambitions of a few individuals who always want to have their way,” he mentioned.

Ekerette recalled occasions surrounding the matter and referred to as on the Akwa Ibom governor to make sure an intensive investigation to determine the reality.

He described Etukudo as an illustrious son of the neighborhood who constantly sought peace and unity however was being focused by individuals he described as enemies of the neighborhood.

It can be recalled that Ebong had alleged in a Facebook put up that Peter was molested by DSS operatives on the orders of Etukudo.

The group, nevertheless, dismissed the allegation as unfaithful and diversionary, saying it was supposed to distract consideration from the primary difficulty: the dying of the Chairman of the Midim Abak Clan Council.