TheCable

Gunmen suspected to be militants struck at a popular market in the Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom state on Saturday.

Moses Phillips, a resident of the area, who witnessed the incident, told NAN that two middle-aged women were killed, while an unspecified number sustained injuries in the attack.

He said the militants, dressed in military camouflage, emerged from the river on two speed boats loaded with machine guns and other ammunition.

Philips said as soon as their boats berthed at the river bank, the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately.

“The militants ordered cyclists and other young men and women to carry all the things they had stolen into their boats,” he said.

“The items they stole were essentially food items like rice, garri, fish, crayfish and palm oil.

“They also carried fuel in drums that they will use in the creeks. It was unfortunate that the two women died.

“The militants did not shoot at the crowd; they shot only into the air, but what I believe is that stray bullets killed the women.”

Phillips said policemen and soldiers arrived the scene after the bandits had left.

Cordelia Nwawe, the police public relations officer in the state, confirmed the attack but denied the casualty figure.

Nwawe said the command had already mapped out strategies to curtail such attacks in future.

She said the command had also reached out to commands in other states to block their waterways against militants’ infiltration into Akwa Ibom.

“While there was militants attack at the T-Junction Market in Itu, I do not agree with the number of casualty,” she said.

“As soon as the incident happened, the police were quickly mobilised and repelled the attacks.

“This is a warning to all Nigerians; if you hear any attacks by armed robbers, do not run, lie flat on the ground to avoid stray bullets.”