Three persons were Sunday killed in Ikot Oku Usung in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by unknown gunmen suspected be assassins.
The gunmen were said to have gone to the compound of Udo Ekpenyong, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the wee hours of Sunday, gunned one and left.
One of the commissioner’s aides in a telephone interview said the gunmen were said to have knocked at the gate of Udo Ekpenyong’s house at 5.30 a.m. and his sister came out to open the gate only for the gunmen to have mowed her down.
DSP Bala Elkana, Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, who confirmed the story, said three persons were gunned down by the criminals.
Elkana said one person was killed in the compound of the commissioner while two others were gunned down by stray bullets of the criminals who were shooting as they were running away after the committing the atrocity.
He stated that the state Commissioner for Police, Muazu Zubairu Halilu was already in the area to ensure calm and tranquility prevail, assuring that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to book.
Last week, the PPRO had told journalists that Ukanafun Local Government Area is rated second to Etim Ekpo Local Government Area on criminal activities chart in the state.
He noted the area is flashpoint in terms of kidnappings, robbery and murder.
With this incident, the criminal temperature of the area has again risen to another degree Centigrade.
In another development, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned the use of motorcycles in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. with effect from Sunday November 19, 2017 till further notice.
A press release signed by DSP Bala Elkana, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State said the measure became necessary to tackle the rising tide of violent crimes, especially murder and kidnapping in the affected local government areas mainly perpetrated with motorcycles.
Elkana said the Command wishes to state categorically that violators of the order would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“The task of making Akwa Ibom State safe and secured is a collective responsibility; and together we can win the battle against Crime. Continue to support the Police to serve you better,” he pointed out.
