Hoodlums Attack Policemen, Free Wanted Suspect

Two undercover policemen reportedly escaped instant lynching following several machete cuts when hoodlums attacked them at Otoro Clan in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The policemen were said to be on a mission to arrest a wanted cult leader and notorious armed robber identified as Udo.

The two officers from the Abak Divisional Headquarters were said to have been attacked after the arrested suspect raised the alarm of being kidnapped by the armed plain clothed officers with an unmarked vehicle.

A resident who spoke with newsmen said the victims might not survive the attack considering the severity of their injuries as well as the dangerous weapons used by the thugs against the policemen.

He said, “The two officers had gone to Ibong Ikot Akpan Abasi Village, Otoro Clan in Abak Local Government Area, to arrest a wanted criminal simply identified as Udo.

“The officers who went to effect the arrest in a private car succeeded in carrying out the arrest of the suspect and were on their way back to the station when their vehicle developed a fault.

“This prompted the wanted criminal to raise the alarm that he was being kidnapped by unknown persons. The alarm raised attracted youths of the community to mobilise, rescue him, and then turned to attack the two officers with machetes and other offensive weapons.

“The severe attack was so brutal to the extent that despite the fact that they presented their identity cards, nobody could take them seriously because of their civilian outlook with their vehicle unmarked.

“Therefore, it would be a miracle if they survived such bloody attack which left them with bruises all over their bodies before they were evacuated to the hospital after intervention from the Paramount Ruler of Abak, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Obong Saviour Udofia, he took them to the hospital for treatment.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Odiko MacDon who confirmed the incident, said the affected Officers are responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital, vowing that no stone would be left unturned in fishing out the perpetrators and the other collaborators.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Waheed Ayilara, has since ordered a high–powered investigation team to work collaboratively with other security agencies in a joint operation to re-arrest the wanted criminal kingpin, and other perpetrators involved in the attack.

“The two Officers were undercover Policemen acting on intelligence to arrest a notorious criminal on wanted list. They (the policemen) are currently receiving treatment. The CP has mobilised tactical operatives to fish out and re-arrest the fleeing criminal and other collaborators. In no distant time, he will be made to face the full weight of the law along with other accomplices,” he assured.