Gunmen kill two policemen at checkpoint in A’Ibom

Unknown gunmen have again killed two policemen at a checkpoint in Urua Inyang, the headquarters of Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

A source said the armed hoodlums, on several motorcycles, stormed the checkpoint and shot the two officers dead, while others fled. The hoodlums were said to have seized their riffles and set a patrol van ablaze.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday, said he was in the company of the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Amiengheme Andrew, for an on-the-spot assessment of the attack at Ika.

“We are in Ika trying to gather more facts about the incident,” he said.

He added that he would be in a better position to give details after the visit. According to the police spokesman, the Commissioner of Police and the entire police community in the state were very saddened by the development, given the fact that some officers of the command had earlier been killed by hoodlums while others were declared missing.

The latest killing brought to five the number of policemen killed in the line of duty in Akwa Ibom by unknown gunmen, while four others were declared missing.

Two inspectors were set ablaze and a leader of the Quick Response Squad (QRS) was also shot dead while leading the squad to confront armed hoodlums at their base in Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim Local Government Area.