Tension is palpable in Ikot Afanga community in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, following the gruesome burning alive by hoodlums, of a police inspector.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Odiko MacDon, confirmed the incident, today, saying: “We are aware of the incident. It is quite unfortunate. We are yet to establish the remote and immediate cause of the attacks, but we will be able to establish that when investigations are concluded.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, is deeply saddened and has consoled the bereaved family”, MacDon said.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that the hoodlums stormed the compound of the police officer simply identified as Aniekan at about 2:30 am, Tuesday, cordoned off the house and set it on fire while he was fast asleep.
Sources say this is the third time hoodlums are attacking police officers and stations in the local government area.
On February 22, 2021, hoodlums attacked a police checkpoint at Ikpe Annang Junction, manned by operatives of the Quick Response Squad, QRS, and burned a Police Inspector alive inside a police van while others escaped.
A resident of the area, who spoke on the ground of anonymity, said the killing might be connected with the victims’ role as a prosecutor in the detention and conviction of criminals.
Another resident, Idaraobong Akpan, said: “We woke up this morning to see the charred remains of the Inspector buried in the rubble of his former house completely reduced to ruins as the hoodlums set his house on fire. I believe it was deliberate.”
It will be recalled that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, M.A Adamu, had on Sunday, via the Force’s Spokesman, Frank Mba, condemned the murder of security operatives and attacks on facilities in some states of the federation and warned that no murder will go Unpunished as the Force will not tolerate any further attack on its personnel or any citizen by any individual or group under any guise whatsoever.
Meanwhile the state Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme, according to the state PRO, has ordered mass police operation in the area.
“It is ongoing now and hopefully, the culprits will be apprehended and I can assure you that justice will prevail at the end”, MacDon said.
