The Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have foiled another coordinated attempt by unknown gunmen to raze two divisional headquarters in the state.
A statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon, and obtained by Blueprint on Wednesday, said the two divisional headquarters targeted were Etim Ekpo division and Ika division.
According to the statement, the armed men who were conveyed in two vehicles arrived Etim Ekpo Area command at about 6:30 am on Wednesday with AK-47 and other dangerous ammunition.
The statement further said the Police Officers on duty gallantly repelled the attack and one of the Officers, PC Edogi Bassey, was killed in the process.
The statement reads in parts, “At about 6:30am today, armed men, in their numbers, armed with AK 47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, in two vehicles attacked the rented building housing the Etim Ekpo Area Command and Division.
“The undaunted and vigilant Police Officers on duty, gallantly fought back, repelled them and averted the intended carnage. Unfortunately, a dedicated Officer, one PC Edogi Bassey paid the supreme price while a small portion of the building was touched.”
The statement also said that after retreating from Etim Ekpo division, the gunmen proceeded to Ika division and they were also repelled by the officers on duty without any damage to the station.
“The gunmen who proceeded to Ika division to perpetrate their nefarious activities were successfully again repelled leaving the station intact without loss of lives or arms,” the statement said.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Amiengheme Andrew, has urged all law abiding citizens to volunteer timely information that will enable the police tackle the present security challenges.
