Unknown gunmen reportedly killed five police officers and a woman during an attack on Odoro Ikpe Police Station, in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State, early Saturday.
Media reports say the assailants invaded the police station Saturday morning and gunned down the six casualties, while several others were injured.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Odiko S. Ogbeche confirmed the incident but was unable to give details of the incident, stating that the Commissioner of Police was already at the scene for an on the spot assessment.
The Police PRO said the level of casualty would be unveiled after the assessment.
Also, Chairman of Ini local government area of Akwa Ibom, Mr Israel Adaisin has confirmed the killings.
In a statement on Saturday, Adaisin blamed members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for the attack.
According to his own account, the gunmen invaded the divisional police station around 2:45 am and killed five police officers and a woman.
”They arrived Ini Local Government Area with sophisticated weapons, broke into the police facility at precisely 2:45am, killing five policemen on duty, burning of vehicles while inflicting injuries on others,” he stressed.
He continued: “I can confirm that gunmen arrived Ini Local Government Area with two buses and one Sienna car on Saturday at 2:45 am numbering more than 40 men, killed 5 policemen on duty and one woman at Odoro Ikpe Police station while burning several vehicles during the attack.
“I want to also extend my heartfelt condolences to the fallen heroes families and the Nigerian Police Force who died in the line of duty.
”I want to also thank the youths of Ini Local Government Area who were proactive in raising alarm which was the needed force that helped to reduce the level of casualties which would have been recorded as a result of the attack.
”I urge the good people of Ini LGA to stay calm as we are working with relevant security agencies and the Government of Akwa Ibom State to ensure that the situation is contained and necessary modalities are being put in place to forestall a reoccurrence.
”There is no cause for fear as the culprits will be brought to book in no distant time.”