Okon Bassey in Uyo
Suspected assassins have killed the village head of Ikot Anta Eneng Obom in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Emmanuel Jim Umahaeyo.
The yet-to-be identified gunmen numbering about two were said to have shot the royal father in his compound.
The late village head who assumed leadership in December 2010, was said to be having protracting disagreement with a deposed youth leader in the village, Eyak Umoekpo, by ensuring the emergence of another person, Esitime Emmanson, as the new youth leader.
The deceased village head was alleged to be uncomfortable with the leadership of Umoekpo, by running a parallel government in the village.
Disturbed by the development in the village, the village head was said to have dissolved the factional youth leadership to pave the way for a new one, an action that angered the sponsor of the factional youth leader to pitch a tent against the village council.
It is said a member of the deposed Umoekpo last year shot a woman in the village over argument and it was the village head who took the woman for treatment, an action the rampaging factional youths saw as an affront against them.
An eyewitness who wants to remain anonymous said unknown gunmen who drove on motorcycle escaped through Nkek Urua Akpan Udosen, a neighbouring village.
While escaping, the source said two persons suspected to be indigenes of Ikot Anta village were also shot by the fled hoodlums
The remains of the departed village head had been deposited in a mortuary in Ukanafun as the residents continue to leave in fear.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Cordelia Nwawe, said the case was being investigated.
