Troops raid Akwa Ibom communities after attacks on security agencies

Troops, in a joint operation, are currently conducting a raid on Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom state.

The operation, conducted by the army, also has operatives drawn from the navy, air force and the police.

Odiko Ogbeche-Macdonald, the police spokesperson in the state who confirmed the development to TheCable, said “it’s a joint operation to flush out the criminals.”

He added that the public will be notified whenever arrests are made.

TheCable understands that there has been a patrol of military aircraft in the LGA since Tuesday morning.

The operation follows a series of attacks by gunmen, especially on security personnel in the area.

In March, three police officers, including their commander, were killed in a violent clash with suspected hoodlums in the LGA.

Ben Ajide, a chief superintendent of police (CSP) and commander of the quick intervention unit of the command in Akwa Ibom, as well as two other officers, were killed in the attack.

In another attack on March 1, gunmen burnt down a divisional police station in Essien Udim LGA.

Meanwhile, Udom Emmanuel, governor of the state, has charged security agencies to restore law and order to the affected communities.