Council chairman condemns attack as gunmen burn Akwa Ibom police station

Chairman of Essien Udim Council Area of Akwa Ibom State, Anthony Luke, has condemned yesterday’s attack on Essien Udim Police Division by unknown gunmen.

Luke, who spoke in a telephone interview with The Guardian expressed sadness over the incessant attacks on security outfits, commended the police officers for repelling the attack.

It was learnt that over 100 hoodlums broke into the Essien Udim Divisional Police Station on Monday, March 1, 2021 (yesterday), burnt the offices, grounded vehicles and motorcycles at the station.

Police sources however, disclosed that no casualty was recorded during the incident as the police successfully repelled the attack with superior gun power.

Gunmen had earlier attacked police and customs checkpoints, burnt vehicles and killed a police inspector and a customs officer.

He described the attack as cowardice, insisting that the council would not be intimidated in the war against criminality in the area and dismissed insinuations that the attacks were politically motivated.

While urging Essien Udim people to remain calm and go about their legitimate businesses, Luke assured them that the council was working in collaboration with the state government and security agencies to find the perpetrators and prosecute them.

He explained that Essien Udim was a boundary local government area, which was why it was easier for hoodlums to infiltrate the area and commit crimes, adding: “What is happening is not peculiar to Essien Udim, but it is unfortunate that this is happening despite our efforts in fighting crime and insecurity in the area.

“But we are not perturbed, we are not going to allow hoodlums take over our local government and state, never. I trust the police to do a thorough investigation, arrest the criminals and prosecute them accordingly.

“Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state and we will do everything possible to support Governor Udom Emmanuel to maintain peace and stability in the state.”

However, as at press time the state Commissioner of Police (CP) and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) declined comments on the attack despite several calls made to the telephone lines.