Gunmen suspected to be cultists have set ablaze another senior Police officer identified as Inspector Aniekan, in the wee hours of Monday in the ongoing reprisal attacks on Police targets in Akwa Ibom state.
The latest killing marked the third in the series so far, occurred in Ikot Afanga community in Essien Udim local government area of the state.
It was gathered that several hoodlums stormed the compound of the deceased, a former Police prosecutor, at about 2:30am on Monday, cordoned-off the late Inspector’s house and set it alight, while he was still fast asleep.
“We woke up to see the charred remains of the Inspector buried in the rubbles of his former house that was completely reduced to ruins by the inferno deliberately set to consume him and his household properties this morning,” Idaraobong Akpan, a neighbor told reporters.
Another local resident, who begged for anonymity, disclosed that the deceased had to pay the supreme price following his role in arrest, detention and conviction of several criminal suspects in Essien Udim with many being kept without being taken to Court.
The hoodlums had earlier attacked a checkpoint at Ikpe Annang junction in Essien Udim, setting a Police Inspector ablaze inside a patrol van and later set a section of Essien Udim Divisional Police station ablaze with several vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles seized by the Police destroyed by fire.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko Macdon, a Police Superintendent (SP) confirming the incident, described it as unfortunate.
“We are aware of the incident and it is quite unfortunate. We are yet to really establish the remote and immediate causes of the incident and we will be able to establish that when investigations are concluded.
“The Commissioner of Police (CP) Amiengheme Andrew, is deeply saddened and has consoled the bereaved family and has ordered mass Police operations in the area.
“There is an ongoing operation right now in the area and hopefully the culprits will be apprehended and I can assure you that justice will prevail at the end of investigation,” he assured.
Worried by a series of security breaches in the area, the state government has ordered the restriction of motorcycle and tricycle operations within the hours of 6:00pm to 6am, as the hoodlums mostly operate using these vehicles.
