Surge in attacks by gunmen on communities, police stations in Akwa Ibom

A fresh attack was reported Sunday at Mkpatak in Essien Udim as gunmen suspected to be members of Idigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed two policemen, razed a police station and killed 12 cows.

The attack described as coordinated took place around 5pm Sunday.The gunmen were reported as well to have attack a police station in a neighbouring council area, Abak.

Earliar on Saturday, Five police officers including the wife of an officer were reported killed by gunmen during an attack on Divisional Police Headquarters, Odoro Ikpe in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.

Odiko Macdon, the state police spokesperson, told newsmen that a group of gunmen invaded on Saturday a divisional police headquarters in Odoro Ikpe in Ini local government area of the state, killing five police officers and the wife of a police officer.

Macdon, while carrying out an on-the-spot assessment of the attacked police station, said the police station was set ablaze and operational vehicles and other valuables were destroyed in the attack. “Yes, there was an attack of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Odoro Ikpe. Six persons, including five officers and a wife of an officer, were killed, the PPRO said.

This fresh attack comes seven days after some gunmen killed two police officers during a similar attack in another local police facility in Akwa Ibom State.

The Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew said the attack was repelled by its men but unfortunately, two personnel were killed and a vehicle attached to the division burnt down during the attack.

There has been a spate of attacks on security agencies in the South-east and South-south which has compounded the security challenges in the two regions.