A combined team of Nigerian security operatives on Tuesday engaged suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a security arm of IPOB, in a gun battle in Essien Udim LGA Akwa Ibom.
Naija News understands that Military fighter aircraft also bombarded the IPOB members.
It was gathered that residents in the LGA reported that attack helicopters were seen hovering round their locations in obvious search of the ESN operatives.
A residents told SaharaReporters that the gunshots have been continuous, adding that residents had not been able to go about their normal business since morning.
“The gunshots keep reverberating. Military and police personnel are trooping in large numbers and surveillance helicopters are flying in the air. I am still in my bedroom,” the resident said.
This online newspaper reports that unknown gunmen have carried out attacks on military and police personnel, stations and locations in the South-East states.
Recall that gunmen had some weeks back murdered a Chief Superintendent of Police identified as Benedict Okoh Ajide and other police officers in the Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom state.
The gunmen also killed military officers who were in the community for peacekeeping efforts.
A source said, “Unknown gunmen attacked some police officers and soldiers today. Their Hilux vans were also set ablaze.”
In nother attackt, hoodlums burnt a Police Inspector alive inside his house in Ikot Afanga community in the same Essien Udim LGA.
It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed the compound of the police officer simply identified as Aniekan about 2:30 am, cordoned off the house, and set it on fire while he was fast asleep.