Chaos erupts in Akwa Ibom local council as vandals disrupt meeting and remove councillors

Chaos erupted at the Legislative Council Complex in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday when a group of thugs entered the chambers and disrupted a sitting of the councillors.

Several lawmakers were injured while fleeing for safety. A female councillor, Ekomobong Isaac, was seen bleeding before she was taken to the hospital.

Journalists covering the plenary were also attacked; Emmanuel Ufon was assaulted and had his cameras confiscated.

After the incident, Donald Usoroh, Leader of the 8th Ini Legislative Council, called the attack “unwarranted” and alleged that it was orchestrated by Council Chairman Inibehe Umah.

Usoroh said the trouble began when legislators wrote to the chairman, inviting him to account for the council’s monthly income and expenditure to promote accountability and good governance.

Instead of responding, the chairman allegedly sent thugs to disrupt the scheduled plenary, according to Usoroh.

He added that the legislators had no intention of impeaching the chairman; they only wanted him to disclose the large sums he had collected from Governor Umo Eno for local development.

Usoroh urged Governor Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other stakeholders to intervene to prevent a full‑blown crisis in Ini LGA, while reaffirming their commitment to serving the people with courage, integrity and dedication to democratic principles.

Usoroh stated, “We were not holding a sitting to impeach the chairman. The order paper and agenda for the sitting had already been prepared, and no item relating to impeachment was included. In the discharge of our constitutional duties, we had earlier requested a transparent account of the council’s monthly income and expenditure. This was a legitimate legislative responsibility aimed at ensuring accountability and good governance. This shameful act of aggression not only undermined democracy at the grassroots but also inflicted devastating consequences. Tragically, one of our female colleagues lost her two‑month pregnancy as a direct result of the assault. This heartbreaking incident has left the Council and the community deeply shaken.”

Speaking on behalf of the journalists attacked, Emmanuel Ufon said he had been invited to cover the legislative beat he normally covered and was carrying out his professional duties when the violence occurred.

Ufon alleged that individuals he described as “suspected terrorists and hoodlums” stormed the chambers, destroyed his tripod, assaulted him and his cameraman, and seized their cameras. He said the attackers claimed they were acting on instructions from the council chairman and told him he would have to recover his equipment through them.

He added, “A free press depends on journalists being able to gather information, document events, and report news without intimidation, violence, or arbitrary interference. When journalists are physically attacked or their equipment is confiscated, several concerns should arise.”

Attempts to reach the council chairman were unsuccessful as his phone lines were switched off and messages sent to him were not delivered.