The Akwa Ibom Police Command has confirmed the killing of two police officers by unknown gunmen in the state.
The gunmen who attacked the Ika divisional headquarters in the state also burnt down a police patrol vehicle.
The incident was confirmed on Wednesday by the Akwa Ibom police spokesperson, Odiko Macdon.
The spokesperson added that the gunmen who arrived on motorcycles on Tuesday, attempted to burn down the station but were repelled by officers on the ground.
The two officers who lost their lives in the encounter have been identified as Esther Akpan and Isonuyo Effiong Paul.
Macdon added that the police have launched an investigation into the attack with the aim of bringing perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
The police statement reads: “On 27/4/2021, at about 7:00pm, some armed men on motorcycles, heading towards Ika Divisional Headquarters vicinity, armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons with the intent to attack the Division and set it ablaze met stiff resistance as the Divisional Police Officer and other Officers on ground fought gallantly and repelled the attackers who took to their heels with possible bullet wounds,” Macdon said.
“Unfortunately, before heading towards the Station to attack it, they ambushed and killed a Woman Police Corporal, one Esther Akpan who had just closed from duty and was on her way home in the company of a Police Special Constabulary, one Isonuyo Effiong Paul, and burnt the Volvo vehicle attached to the Division.
“The Commissioner of Police, who was at the Division for an on-the-spot assessment, condoled with the families of slain female Officer and the Special Constabulary.
“He commended the gallantry exhibited by the DPO and his men and was also very appreciative of the role played by the Youths of IKA, while urging them to continue partnering the Police in crime fighting.”
Meanwhile, former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday noted that the security challenges in the country won’t consume Nigeria.
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, also said there would be light at the end of the tunnel.
They spoke separately at the 108th Nigeria Baptist Convention, held at the Baptist International Conference Centre, Lufuwape Town, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.