Why IPOB burned Police Inspector in his sleep, hoisted flag in Akwa Ibom community
Facts have emerged that the recent invasion of Akwa Ibom by men of Eastern Security Network, ESN, the security outfit of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, may not be unconnected with its quest to find a new base and reestablish its in the South South after running into trouble in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital.
On Monday, 29th March, 2021, the hoodlums had invaded Ikot Akpan village in Ukana UWA West 1 and hoisted Biafran flag after burning down the village head’s house.
The residence of an ex-police officer, ASP Aniekan Obot, was also burnt down in the early hours of Monday in his village, Ikot Afangna, killing the Police Inspector in his sleep.
The deceased reportedly paid the supreme price for resisting IPOB’s attempts to infiltrate the area as well as his role in the arrest, detention and conviction of several criminal suspects in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The hoodlums set the deceased’s hous ablaze in about 2 am that Monday, killing him in the process.
Men of the ESN later engaged the police in a gun battle while trying to restore peace and order in the area.
“We woke up to see the charred remains of the Inspector buried in the rubbles of his former house that was completely reduced to ruins by the inferno deliberately set to consume him and his household properties this morning”, Idaraobong Akpan, a neighbour told newsmen.
Sources told MORENEWS.NG that the group is responsible for the series of attacks on security facilities where the carted away firearms, burnt police station, vehicles and killed many policemen and soldiers.
It was also gathered that the secessionist group had their camp in the area where the recruited people into Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko Macdon, a Police Superintendent (SP) who described the incident as unfortunate, noted that:
“We are aware of the incident and it is quite unfortunate. We are yet to really establish the remote and immediate causes of the incident and we will be able to establish that when investigations are concluded.
“The Commissioner of Police (CP) Amiengheme Andrew, is deeply saddened and has consoled the bereaved family and has ordered mass Police operations in the area.
“There is an ongoing operation right now in the area and hopefully the culprits will be apprehended and I can assure you that justice will prevail at the end of investigation.”
In a bid to arrest rising cases of Insecurity in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, the Akwa Ibom State Governmet had declared a dust to Dawn curfew in area, banning operations of motorcycles and tricycles.
The Monday’s attack, is one of the cases of resurgence of Ilinsecurity Akwa Ibom, particuarly Essien Udim, has has witnessed as the security facilities in the state have been the major target of these attacks.
MORENEWS.NG further learnt that the outlawed terrorist group had attacked army check-point at Odoro Ikot in Essien Udim which is a boundary community with Abia State and killed army man and a motorist and also burnt military Vehicle.
The gunmen had also attacked a checkpoint at Ikpe Annang junction in Essien Udim Local Governmet Area, setting a Police Inspector ablze inside a patrol van.
Part of Essien Udim Divisional Police Headquarters was equally set ablze with several unserviceable vehicles as well as motorcycles and tricycles seized by the Police destroyed in the process.
