By Emeka Okafor
An early morning deadly attacks on two police stations in Akwa Ibom State by armed bandits on Wednesday claimed the life of a police officer when gunmen invaded police formations in the station.
The two police stations attacked by the gunmen are the Ika and Etim Ekpo Divisional Police stations in the Ika and Etim Ekpo local government areas of the state.
The gunmen were said to have stormed their target at about 6:30 and shot sporadically in the process killed a cop identified as PC Edogi Bassey.
It was gathered that two police vans were set ablaze during the attacks while a section of one of the stations was burnt.
Akwa Ibom Police Command confirmed the attacks on the stations and the killing of the policeman.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon, said the gunmen stormed the stations with two vehicles and armed with AK 47 rifles.
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“At about 6:30am today, Armed men, in their numbers, armed with AK 47 Rifles and other dangerous weapons, in two vehicles attacked the rented building housing the Etim Ekpo Area Command and Division.
“The undaunted and vigilant Police Officers on duty, gallantly fought back, repelled them and averted the intended carnage. Unfortunately, a dedicated Officer, one PC Edogi Bassey paid the supreme price while a small portion of the building was torched.
“The gunmen who proceeded to Ika Division to perpetrate their nefarious activities were successfully again repelled leaving the Station intact without loss of lives or arms.
“This unacceptable worrisome trend is being addressed by the Police hierarchy and requires the cooperation of all,” he said.
With Wednesday’s attack, it brings to seven the number of police stations so far attacked by gunmen while 16 police officers have been killed in the state.
