June 13, (THEWILL)- One Officer of the Mobile Police Formation has been reportedly killed in an early morning attack on a police station in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Sunday morning.
Also, one person suspected to be a member of ESN sustained injuries during the gun battle that ensued.
THEWILL gathered that the hoodlums invaded the community by 4:30am in a motorcycle convoy and immediately opened fire directly at the police station killing the Mobile Police Officer.
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said the operation lasted for few minutes as policemen from the Quick Intervention Unit (QIU) and their counterparts from Ikot Ekpene Area Command confronted the invaders in a gun battle.
The witness said: “This morning we got information that a police station was being attacked in Ini, so we went. The men came here on motorcycles and started shooting at the police and they (Police) also started shooting but one of the police was gunned down. The bandits escaped into the bush, leaving their motorcycles and charms.
“One of the suspects was seriously hit by the police bullets before he escaped and may not survive as the wound was severe, they abandoned two motorcycles and fled.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the report, said the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, had ordered men of the Operation Restore Peace to comb the bushes for possible arrest of fleeing members of the gang.
He said: “We got report of the incident in Ini LGA this morning. We arrested one of the criminals while others escaped with bullets wounds. We recovered three motorcycles and charms. But unfortunately, one of our men who participated in the operation was hit. He was taken to the hospital at Ikot Ekpene, but unfortunately, he gave up the ghost.
“As we speak, the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, has ordered men of the Operation Restore Peace, who are now in the bush for possible arrest of those who escaped with bullets wounds,” Macdon said.
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