By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command has described as false and misleading the media report that two policemen died while two were missing in a clash between the operatives of the command and youth in the state.
State Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, in a release made available to New Nigerian Newspapers in Uyo however confirmed the clash but denied that policemen were killed.
Giving an account of the incident, DSP Ikechukwu said, “To set the record straight, on 19/4/2017, the command received information from a concerned citizen that a young man by name Udo Nice Nyong ‘m’ of Ekom Iman Village in Etinan LGA, who was accused of stealing African salad popularly known as Afang, was abducted and tortured to death on the prompting of the youth leader of the village, one Unyime Isaiah Joshua ‘m’.
“The young man was said to be buried in a shallow grave in the family compound at Ekom Iman. The information was subsequently verified by the Anti Kidnapping Squad of the command to be true.”
He continued, “Consequently on 21/4/2017, a team of the Anti-kidnapping Squad comprising one Inspector and 3 others went to Ekom Iman to invite the said youth leader, Unyime Isaiah Joshua ‘m’ for interview. In the process, the policemen were ambushed by youths numbering over seventy armed with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons. One of the policemen, Sergeant Daniel Nwankwo, was inflicted with cutlass wounds and later abducted to an unknown place. He has not been seen till date.”
“One Ubong Isaiah ‘m’, a notorious kidnapper, armed robber and head of cult on the wanted list of the Command, attempted forcefully to disarm one other policeman after savagely inflicting cutlass injuries on him. In the process, Ubong Isaiah was hit by a bullet and he died. Another policeman was chased to the village head’s house where he was also dealt several cutlass injuries. He is presently receiving treatment in the hospital.”
“An unmarked car, Mercedes 190 saloon Car with Reg. No. LWL 306, used by the policemen in the operation was damaged and burnt to ashes by the rampaging youths who also made away with three police rifles. Two of the rifles have, however, been recovered while one is still missing.”
Stating the media report as not true as claimed in the report, DSP Ikechukwu also that the incident was not in any manner provoked by the police team who were on -lawful duty. The youths in the area without provocation merely took law into their hands, and will be dealt with appropriately.