Charles Etekka Ekpo
A call to affirmative action
Akwa Ibom State, once celebrated for its rich culture and industrious communities, has been plagued for decades by cult-related violence. Groups such as Debam, Dewell, and Iceland have waged deadly turf wars, leaving communities in fear, families shattered, and residents forced to flee—sometimes abroad—to escape persecution.
I speak from personal experience. Twenty years ago, I was compelled to flee Akwa Ibom to Lagos, and ten years ago, I had to relocate to Benin, all to escape the Debam cult’s attempt to initiate me into their sect. Refusing their overtures came at a high cost—threats, intimidation, and constant fear for my life. My story mirrors the plight of countless citizens across the state who live under similar threat, forced to abandon their homes to survive.
Reports between 2020 and 2025 show the alarming scale of the problem: entire villages displaced, killings in broad daylight, and ordinary people targeted simply for refusing to join secret societies. These acts are not only criminal but a direct assault on human dignity and the fundamental right to safety.
The government must act decisively. Citizens who resist joining cults must be proactively protected, rather than merely reacting after lives are lost. Communities need visible security measures, clear reporting mechanisms, and swift justice for perpetrators.
No one should feel compelled to leave their home or country because of the lawlessness of a few. The recent wave of displacements and killings—including victims fleeing abroad—underscores the urgent need for intervention. Akwa Ibom’s people deserve to live free from fear, and the state must clamp down firmly on cult violence to restore peace and security.
