The Nigerian Army has confirmed the air strikes on some communities in the Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

NAF in a statement released on Wednesday disclosed that the ground and air team carried out an attack on criminals who had acquired dangerous weapons in Ntak Ikot Akpan.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, on Wednesday said the community was bombed because “in the past few weeks, the group has attacked various security agencies which resulted in the loss of lives and carting away of weapons. The last incident led to the killing of some policemen including a Chief Superintendent of Police.”

The army spokesman said, “The general security situation in Akwa Ibom state has been very peaceful until recently when the security situation around Essien Udim Local Government Area of the State became tensed occasioned by activities of some hoodlums and criminal elements. The miscreants exploited various avenues to acquire weapons to perpetrate their heinous crimes. In the past few weeks, the group has attacked various security agencies which resulted in the loss of lives and carting away of weapons.”

“The last incident led to the killing of some policemen, including a CSP. The hoodlums continued to terrorise law abiding citizens through extortions and infringement on their rights.”

“Consequently, a combined team of Military and Security Agencies in the State conducted a clearance operation at Ntak Ikot Akpan in order to flush out the miscreants. The operation was successfully executed and resulted in the dislodgement of the criminals while fleeing hoodlums were neutralised by the Air Component.”

“Normalcy has been restored in the area while the Police personnel have since assumed full control and carrying out normal duties. Members of the public are advised not to panic but to remain calm and continue to support the security agencies to further consolidate on the successes recorded so far.”