The attack on security agencies continues as gunmen attacked checkpoints in the Calabar-Ikom highway, reportedly killing two officers before carting away their rifles.
There has been a recurrence of attacks on police officers and facilities in different states in the country, especially in the South-East and South-south regions. The latest of these attacks occurred at Obubra Local Government Area in Cross River State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday along Ofotura where two officers were shot dead and other officers suffered injuries.
According to reports, the gunmen started the operation at the Nko axis into the Obubra axis of the highway, attacking from checkpoint to checkpoint. The criminals were said to have arrived in a commercial vehicle suspected to have been snatched for the purpose of the operation.
Sources say the Army engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle and overpowered them, forcing them to flee into the nearby bush while abandoning the vehicle.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo confirmed the incident while stating that there has been a re-enforcement of security in the area and that there is a manhunt on the assailants, who later abandoned their vehicle and ran into the bush when engaged in cross-fire gun battle, reports The Nation.
“We lost two of our policemen, one is being hospitalised”, said Ms Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
“Early this morning, the CP deployed men, so our tactical team is there, we are waiting for the outcome of the operation. The information we got was that during the operation, the bad boys would shout one particular thing – IPOB and all that.
“We wouldn’t know what these people want because some days ago some of our men were killed in Calabar, and now this one is happening”.
The PPRO added that the recent attacks are likely a scheme to further worsen the security challenges in the country and therefore, drastic measures must be taken to tackle this development.
She further debunked the rumour of six officers dying as a result of the attack, adding that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sikiru Akande, has called for calm as investigations are ongoing to get to the root of the incident.
According to her, “The Command enjoins residents and well-meaning people in the state to view security as a collective venture by sharing genuine information with the police’’.
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