Gunmen Kill Five Policemen, One Woman In Akwa Ibom
BY UBON EKANEM, UYO – Unidentified gunmen are not letting off the heat on deadly attacks against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as five policemen and a woman lost their lives in Saturday’s dawn attack at Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Confirming the incident in a press statement, the Council Chairman, Mr Israel Adaisin, blamed the attack on suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) who stormed the Divisional Police headquarters, Odoro Ikpe in the local government.
Adaisin said the incident occurred around 2.45 am when the gunmen invaded the police station, killing the five police officers in the process.
Besides the murdered police personnel, the Council Chairman said one woman was also killed while several vehicles and other facilities were razed by the gangsters.
According to him, reports indicate that the gunmen, over 40 in number, stormed the Council Secretariat in two buses and a Sienna car.
Further quoting eyewitnesses’ account, the Council boss said; “I can confirm that gunmen arrived Ini Local Government Area in two buses andone Sienna car on Saturday at 2:45 am numbering more than 40 men, killed five (5) policemen on duty and one woman at Odoro Ikpe Police station while burning several vehicles during the attack.
“They arrived Ini Local Government Area with sophisticated weapons, broke into the police facility at precisely 2:45 am, killing five policemen on duty, burning of vehicles while inflicting injuries on others.”
Adaisin, who visited the incident scene with the member representing Ini Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Bassey, disclosed that some police officers were overrun in their attempt to repel the gangsters.
Appealing for calm while condoling with the Police and the victims’ families, the Council boss said; “I want to also extend my heartfelt condolences to the fallen heroes families and the Nigerian Police Force who died in the line of duty.
“I want to also thank the youths of Ini Local Government Area who were proactive in raising alarm which was the needed force that helped to reduce the level of casualties which would have been recorded as a result of the attack.
“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 are-occurrence.
“Expressing faith in the security agencies to effectively handle the situation, Adaisin assured the people that there is no cause for alarm “as the culprits will be brought to book in no distant time.”
