The late Iniobong Lyons
Abasifreke Effiong – Uyo
Akwa Ibom state government and the police are silent on the murder of Mr Iniobong Lyons, a former supervisor in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, killed during the endSARS protest in Uyo.
Lyons, a father to three children, was hit by a stray bullet around Aka junction by Udo Udoma roundabout in Uyo, while returning from church on Thursday 22nd October.
An eyewitness said policemen had shot sporadically into the air in a bid to disperse hoodlums who wanted to block the run and burn tyres around Aka junction where the deceased was felled by stray bullet.
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Hoodlums had set ablaze one of the twin duplexes housing the corporate office of the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation at Udo Udoma avenue located about 100 metres away from Aka junction where the police reportedly shot to disperse the hoodlums.
The commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom state, Mr Amiengheme Andrew was silent on Friday 23rd about Lyons’ murder when he gave update on arrest and items recovered after shops were looted during the endSARS protest in Uyo.
Also, the Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, did not mention the murder of Iniobong Lyons in his broadcast on Friday night. He however said that “vandals” hijacked the endSARS protest and “spread terror” in the state.
“The #EndSARS protests we know and sympathize with. But the vandals we do not know. #EndSARS is an attempt to stop terror. These vandals came to spread terror. EndSARS wants to stop the brutalization of citizens. These vandals brutalized the good, working people of Akwa Ibom State. EndSARS is about stopping extortion and stealing. These vandals stole and looted. #EndSARS is about peace and constitutionality. These vandals committed arson and horrendous crimes.”
Iniobong Lyons had served two terms as ward chairman of Asutan 1, the ward of a former Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, and as chapter officer of the PDP, the ruling party in the state.
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He had also served as supervisor for works and supervisor for Finance and supplies in Ibesikpo Asutan local government council.
His political associates said he was at the forefront of grassroots mobilisation for the election and reelection of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2015 and 2019.
Lyons had left behind a wife and three children.
Lyons’ wife, Idorenyin, told The Dune on Saturday 24th October that neither the police nor anyone from the state government has visited her except her late husband’s political mentor and former state chairman of the PDP, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk.
She said the remains of her husband were deserted on the road after he was hit by the bullet.
“I was the one who picked him to the morgue, with the support of the youth council chairman.”
“The police have not come. No one from government has come expect this man, (pointing to a portrait of a former state chairman of the PDP, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, placed against the wall in the living room). I have not seen anyone.”
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She sobbed intermittently when members of the African Church, Uyo Diocese led by Rt. Rev. Abraham Ajah came to pray for the family.
She said her husband was a “committed Christian.”
The Rt. Rev. Ajah said Lyons’ death is a serious loss to the church.
“He came for a meeting but couldn’t get back to meet his family. It is a serious loss to the church.”
“He was an active member of the church. The church is so much concerned and worried about what has happened. We have nothing to do than to pray for God to console the family and friends.”
However, police public relations officer in Akwa Ibom state, Odiko MacDon said on Saturday said that one person died during the protest but the police are yet to know his identity.
“We don’t have any information yet. We are investigating. As soon as we have information we will make it public.”
He ruled out the possibility that the late Lyons was killed by a stray bullet from a policeman.
“That information is false. It is falsehood from the pit of hell. The police conducted themselves well throughout the EndSARS protest because of the instructions we got”, MacDon emphasised.
