The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two its personnel by gunmen who attacked them on Tuesday in the Ika Division in Ika Local Government Area of the state.
The police personnel, a female Corporal, Esther Akpan and a police special Constabulary, Isonuyo Paul, who were attached to the Ika Divisional Police Station, were said to have been returning from duty in a Volvo car belonging to the police when they were killed by the hoodlums, who were on their way to attack the Divisional police station.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon on Wednesday, the criminals armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons were promptly repelled by the divisional police officers on duty.
The statement also revealed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Andrew Amiengheme, has visited the divisional police station and sympathised with the families of the deceased officers.
The 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 the ground fought gallantly and repelled the attackers who took to their heels with possible bullet wounds.
“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 company with 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 the slained female Officer and the Special Constabulary,” the statement said.
The statement commended the gallantry exhibited by the DPO and his Men and appreciated the role played by the Youths of IKA, urging them to continue partnering with the Police in crime-fighting.
