Ini Legislative Council Attack: Thugs Storm Akwa Ibom Chambers, Injure Councillors and Journalists

|By Adejumo Adekunle – The Ini Legislative Council attack triggered chaos at the Legislative Council Complex in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday after suspected thugs stormed the chambers and disrupted an ongoing plenary session.

Several councillors fled for safety as the attackers invaded the complex. A female councillor, Ekomobong Isaac, suffered injuries and was rushed to hospital after she was seen bleeding during the incident.

Journalists covering the sitting also came under attack. One reporter, Emmanuel Ufon, said the assailants assaulted him, damaged his equipment and seized his cameras while he carried out his duties.

The Leader of the 8th Ini Legislative Council, Donald Usoroh, condemned the attack and alleged that the council chairman, Inibehe Umah, sponsored the disruption. He claimed tensions escalated after lawmakers invited the chairman to explain the council’s income and expenditure as part of their oversight responsibilities.

However, Usoroh insisted the legislators were not discussing impeachment. Instead, he said they only sought transparency over funds reportedly released for local government development.

Furthermore, he described the violence as an assault on grassroots democracy. He also alleged that one female councillor lost a two-month pregnancy following the attack.

Meanwhile, Ufon said the attackers claimed they acted on instructions from the council chairman. He stressed that attacks on journalists threaten press freedom and undermine public access to information.

The Ini Legislative Council attack has sparked concern among residents and political stakeholders. Usoroh has called on Governor Umo Eno, Godswill Akpabio and other leaders to intervene before the crisis worsens.

Attempts to reach the council chairman for comment were unsuccessful as his phone lines remained unreachable.

The Ini Legislative Council attack continues to raise questions about accountability, security and democratic governance at the local government level.