By Abba Gwale
Unknown gunmen had, on Tuesday, killed a female police Corporal, Esther Akpan, and a police special Constabulary, Isonuyo Paul, attached to Ika Divisional police station in Ika Local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, on Wednesday, said the criminals armed with AK-47 and other sophisticated weapons were promptly repelled by the divisional police officers on duty.
He said the deceased, who was 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.
“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 state Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, had visited the divisional police station and sympathized with the families of the deceased officers.
The Commissioner also 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.
According to the PPRO, investigation had already been started with the aim of bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.
