Military raids criminals’ hideouts in Essien Udim council of Akwa Ibom

A combined military operation has commenced to flush out criminal elements in Essien Udim Council of Akwa Ibom State following the recent spate of attacks on security operatives in the area.

The Guardian recalled that hoodlums suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had laid siege to Essien for some time now, attacking military and police officers in most of their operations.

Gunmen had killed three police officers including a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in a reprisal attack, while four policemen were declared missing, just as the hoodlums set ablaze military vehicles.

To contain the situation, the military began a bombardment of suspected criminals’ hideouts in the area, even as sounds of heavy gunshots and artillery were heard.

The operation also saw the deployment of drones and helicopters flying at low altitudes to ensure proper surveillance of the area, after the military asked residents to vacate areas the hoodlums were suspected to be used as camps.

It was learned that due to the heavy bombardment, management of the State Polytechnic in Ikot Osurua and the Federal Polytechnic, Essien Udim has ordered the closure of the institutions and ordered students to vacate the campuses.

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko Macdon, in a telephone interview said the command could not speak on the situation immediately, as he had not been briefed on the operation.

He assured the people that the command would brief the press on developments at the appropriate time and that residents of the area and the entire state should not panic, as the situation was under control.