A police officer died from bullet wounds after unknown gunmen attacked a police station in Akwa Ibom State.

One suspect has been arrested following the Sunday morning attack at the Divisional Police Station, Ini local government area.

REPORTS has yet to gather the name of the slain officer. However, the suspect’s name was rendered as Imo John Udo, of Ikot Edem Udo, Okon Clan in Essien Udim LGA.

After being hit by bullets, the police personnel was taken to a hospital in Ikot Ekpene for treatment but could not make it.

State Police Spokesman Odiko MacDon said three motorcycles and charms have been recovered from the assailants, who also escaped with bullet wounds.

He added that the Commissioner of Police Andrew Amiengheme had ordered officers of Operation Restore Peace to arrest the escapees.

According to MacDon, “We got a report of the incident in Ini LGA this morning. We arrested one of the criminals while others escaped with bullets wounds. We recovered three motorcycles and charms. But unfortunately, one of our men who participated in the operation was hit. He was taken to the hospital at Ikot Ekpene, but unfortunately, he gave up the ghost”.

“As we speak, the Commissioner of Police Andrew Amiengheme has ordered men of the Operation Restore Peace to arrest those who escaped with bullets wounds,” he added.

In the early days of this month, a series of coordinated raids were undertaken by a joint task force comprising the army, the police, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). It resulted in the arrest of ten suspects.

The suspects were accused of masterminding the wave of violence in Akwa Ibom that saw over 23 police officers killed in recent times.

During the raid – which concentrated at Ntak Ikot Akpan, Abama and Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene LGAs – officers also recovered different types of items including vehicles, rifles and ammunition, cash, police uniforms, computers, phones, and SIM cards.

“We will continue to work as a team in securing Akwa Ibom State,” the police commissioner said after parading the suspects.

“I urge Akwa Ibomites to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation and never relent in being vigilant and giving timely information to the Police and other security agencies.”