Cultists set police station ablaze in Akwa Ibom

Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Monday attacked and burnt down a divisional police station in the Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred barely one week after some hoodlums in the same local government attacked members of the Quick Response Squad at Ikpe Annang junction and burnt an inspector of police inside a police van .

Sources told our correspondent in Uyo , the Akwa Ibom State capital, that the hoodlums numbering about a hundred stormed the police station in the early hours of Monday and burnt the offices including unserviceable vehicles and motorcycles at the station .

The sources said there was no lost of lives during the attack by the hoodlums .

The Police Police Public Relations Officer , Odiko Macdon, confirmed the the burning down of the station , adding investigation was still ongoing to unravel the perpetrators.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme , had visited the station for an on -the -spot assessment.

“ I can confirm that our station was torched in an attempt on our facility by the hoodlums . The CP has visited the station for an on -the -spot assessment. Investigation is still ongoing, no live was lost and no rifle carted away, ” Macdon said .

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Council , Mr Anthony Luke , condemned the attack on the police station , describing it as an act of cowardice .

“ The council will not be intimidated in the war against criminalities in the area , ” Luke said dismissing insinuations that the attacks were politically motivated . He noted that similar incidents had happened in the neighbouring states and other parts of the country .

While calling on Essien Udim people to remain calm and go about their legitimate businesses, the council boss assured them that the council was working assiduously in collaboration with the state government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice .