BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
Gunmen, on Monday, attacked and burnt down a divisional police station in the Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
The incident comes one week after some hoodlums in the same local government area attacked members of the Quick Response Squad at Ikpe Annang junction, and burnt a police inspector while he was inside a patrol vehicle.
The gunmen reportedly invaded the police station in the early hours of Monday and burnt the offices, including vehicles and motorcycles parked within the station.
Odiko MacDon, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the incident and said an investigation has commenced to fish out the criminal elements.
He added that Andrew Amiengheme, the commissioner of police, had visited the station into assess the situation.
“I can confirm that our station was torched in an attempt on our facility by the hoodlums,” MacDon said.
“The CP has visited the station for an on-the-spot assessment. Investigation is still ongoing. No life was lost, and no rifle carted away.”
Reacting, Anthony Luke, chairman of the LGA, condemned the attack on the police station.
He described the attack as “an act of cowardice”, saying the council will not succumb to the antics of criminal elements.
“The council will not be intimidated in the war against criminalities in the area,” he said.
He urged residents to remain calm, and assured them that the culprits will be made to face the wrath of the law.
In another development, suspected gunmen also attacked and burnt a part of the Iboko divisional police station in Izzi local government of Ebonyi state.
The attackers were said to have set the building ablaze with fire bombs.
Aliyu Garba, the state police commissioner who confirmed the incident, said the attackers used fire bombs.
He said no casualties were recorded and that the fire did minimal damage to the station.
“Yes, they attacked the station around 1am, but there were no casualties,” Garba said.
“They threw improvised fire bombs at the station and it ignited, but it only affected a small part of the building.”
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