Uneasy calm as gunmen attack, kill more Policemen

No fewer than six Policemen including a wife of an officer have been killed following an attack on aDivisional Police headquarters, Odoro Ikpe in Ini Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom state by unknown gunmen on Saturday morning.

The gunmen, according to reports and pictures made available to newsmen also destroyed facilities, vehicles and other valuables at the station. 

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon, who confirmed the attack and number of casualties said he was at the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. 

“Yes, there was an attack at the Divisional Police headquarters, Odoro Ikpe in Ini Local government area. Six persons including  five officers and a wife of an officer were killed. I am at the station as we speak,” he said.

Police stations and other security posts in Akwa Ibom state have in recent months experienced cases of early morning attack, leading to the death of officers and destruction of facilities, including utility vehicles and infrastructure. 

An unsigned online report purportedly issued from the office of the Executive Chairman, Ini LGA, Mr Isreal Idaisin, alleged that the invasion was from the Eastern Security Network (ESN). 

The report indicated that several vehicles and facilities were destroyed during the attack, in addition to the six persons killed by the gunmen.

“The gunmen who came in two buses and a Sienna car filled with armed men numbering more than 40, arrived Ini Local Government Area with sophisticated weapons, broke into the police facility at 2:45am pricisely, killing five policemen on duty, burnt vehicles while inflicting injuries on others,” he said.

Some police officers who attempted to repel the gunmen were overrun.  

The Chairman, according to the statement commended the youths of Ini LGA who he said were proactive in raising alarm which helped to reduce the number of casualties..

“I urge the good people of Ini LGA to stay calm as we are working with relevant security agencies and the government of Akwa Ibom state to ensure that the situation is contained and necessary modalities are being put in place to forestall a reoccurrence. There is no cause for fear as the culprits will be brought to book in no distant time,” the statement read.