By Bassey Anthony, Uyo
Fear has gripped natives of Ikot Akpan community in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom state over the clash between gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and security operatives.
During the conflict which occurred on Monday, IPOB members were said to have successfully hoisted the Biafra flag after contending with and repelling the security operatives in the community
The Nation gathered that the assailants attacked the palace of the village head of the community and set ablaze security vehicles during the clash which lasted several hours.
Two inspectors have been set ablaze and a divisional police station burnt down in a planned and coordinated attack carried out by suspected gunmen in the same Local government in the last one month.
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Our correspondent learnt that the crisis snowballed when security operatives were drafted to carry out a reprisal against the IPOB members alleged to be behind the targeted attacks on Police formations and killing of police officers in the state
The source said “nobody knew who were behind the attacks in Essien Udim until members of IPOB pursued the community and hoisted their flag. When the police stormed their camp yesterday (Monday) they repelled them.
“After burning the security officers’ house early hours of the morning the police went to their camp about 4 pm same Monday to attack them. They went in three Hilux vans. People fled the community.”
The police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon is yet to confirm that attack as at the time of filing this report as he could not pick calls nor respond to text messages to his phone.
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