Gunmen kill two cops, set vehicle ablaze in Akwa Ibom

Armed men on Tuesday killed a female police Corporal, one Esther Akpan, and a police special Constabulary, Isonuyo Paul, attached to Ika Divisional police station in Ika Local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

The two officers who were returning from duty in a Volvo car belonging to the police were killed by the hoodlums on their way to attacking the Divisional police station.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, on Wednesday said the criminals armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons were promptly repelled by the divisional police officers on duty.

According to the statement of the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, has visited the divisional police station and sympathised with the families of the deceased officers.

“On 27/4/2021, at about 7:00pm, some armed men on Motorcycles, heading towards Ika Divisional Headquarters’ vicinity, armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons with the intent to attack the Division and set it ablaze met stiff resistance as the Divisional Police Officer and other Officers on the ground fought gallantly and repelled the attackers who took to their heels with possible bullet wounds.

“Unfortunately, before heading towards the Station to attack it, they ambushed and killed a Woman Police Corporal, one Esther Akpan, who had just closed from duty and was on her way home in company with a Police Special Constabulary, one Isonuyo Effiong Paul, and burnt the Volvo vehicle attached to the Division.

“The Commissioner of Police, who was at the Division for an on-the-spot assessment, condoled with the families of the slained female Officer and the Special Constabulary,” the statement said.

The statement commended the gallantry exhibited by the DPO and his Men and appreciated the role played by the Youths of IKA, urging them to continue partnering with the Police in crime-fighting.

A discreet investigation according to the statement would be conducted with the aim of bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.