Human Rights Activist, Saviour Akpan, has raised an alarm over threats to his life and that of his family, calling on all Nigerians and indeed the world to hold Pastor Raphael Davis Inyang responsible if anything happens to him or any member of his family. Akpan, who raised the alarm on Monday at a press conference in his office, the headquarters of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace building, 59, School Road, Abak, said series of attempts had been made on his life in recent times, all of which he had traced to Pst Inyang, the village head-elect of Nnung Oku Ibiet No.1. The Human Rights Advocate told journalists that the threats began when Pst Inyang, who is also a retired principal, sent some “boys” to his compound in Obio Ibiet Esa, Ndon Clan, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, to harvest his palm fruits, a calculated action he said was intended to provoke him into challenging the “boys” who were armed to the teeth and were waiting to seize the moment to unleash mayhem on him. Akpan, who is the Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace building, a Human rights organisation, revealed that, on sensing the plot behind the harvesting of his palm fruits beside his house, he quickly deployed peaceful approach and diplomacy in cautioning the youths.He further told journalists that the confession of some of the youths and investigations afterwards confirmed that Pst Inyang was the sponsor of the attack which he said he diplomatically aborted, that perhaps could have resulted in something unthinkable. The COMPPART Foundation Executive Director recounted that similar ploy by the village head -elect through his “boys” to enrage him into fighting had been deployed more than once, fearing that his life and that of his immediate family of “Ekpuk Nto Umoren” might be hanging on a balance if Pst Inyang is not called to order. Akpan disclosed that Pst Inyang had also gone to the police headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia where he ordered for his arrest, alleging stealing of palm fruits as the reason behind his action. The Human Rights Activist said it was shocking that the village head -elect of Nnung Oku Ibiet No 1 could go to the police for his arrest, when he (the village head -elect ) had already sued him for allegedly stealing the village palm fruits and requesting for payment of three million naira compensation through the court. He described Pst Inyang’s desperation as an action that might be contemptuous. In his words, “ Surprisingly, in the last two weeks or thereabout, this self-acclaimed village head -elect of Nnung Oku Ibiet No 1 has shown so much desperation to attack me, even as the matter that led to all of these is in court. He has mobilised “boys” on several occasions to come to my compound in my village, Obio Ibiet Esa, to harvest my palm fruits. He did that clearly to provoke me into fighting those “boys” who would seize the opportunity to either beat me up or at worst, kill me. “ When I diplomatically interacted with the boys, I was made to know that it was Pst Inyang who sponsored them to step into my compound and harvest the palm fruits I planted years ago. “ Not satisfied with sending thugs to my compound, Pst Inyang went to Police headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia and ordered for my arrest. On 15th March, 2024, I received a call from Operation Department of the force which I went and informed the police that the matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction. Sadly, he has driven himself to a point where he has forgotten that his actions are a clear case of contempt, or, in an ordinary language, judicial confrontation”.Human Rights Crusader therefore, said considering Pst Inyang’s desperate moves to unleash mayhem on him, despite being the one who sued him and asking for a compensation of three million naira, it was clear that he had prepared himself to fight from all fronts, legally and illegally. Speaking on the genesis of the matter, Akpan recounted that it all started when this village head -elect, upon his election in January this year, mobilised some youths who went and harvested cassava belonging to the people of Obio Ibiet Esa, Ikot Edem Udo and Afaha Obo Ikot Iton Communities in Ndot Clan, Oruk Anam. He explained that the cassava was thereafter driven in his van to his compound where he later sold it. Akpan said he was compelled, on hearing the hardship inflicted on the poor rural men, women and orphans, by the action of Pst Inyang, to seek for ways through which the affected people would be assuaged. He said rather than a peaceful resolution to the matter, the village head -elect turned around and accused him of stealing palm fruits belonging to the village and therefore, approached the court, seeking a compensation of three million naira from me”.“ I’m not going to bore you with narratives because, the substance of the matter is in court of competent jurisdiction. However, as an activist, I condemned what Pst Inyang did when the information got to me. I told him that his actions were not encouraging. “ I proceeded to requesting the Clan Head of Ndot Clan to come and convene a meeting that would help assuage the owners of the cassava farms that were harvested and the cuttings set ablaze. “ Unfortunately, my intervention did not sit well with Pst Inyang. Therefore, he sued me and two other people who happen to come from my own “ekpuk” (family). He is alleging that, I Saviour Akpan, stole the village palm fruits”. The Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation pledged to continue to deploy all lawful means in pursuing the matter before the court to its logical conclusion. He added that the threats to his life by the Pst Inyang would not in any way deter him from continuing in his fight for justice, fairness and equity in the society.