A combined military and police operation in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom State has resulted in the death of over 17 persons.
Sources in the area say scores are missing after soldiers and police carried out operations in Ukana and other surrounding communities.
The Army said it joined forces with the police officers stationed at the LGA and neutralised some hoodlums terrorising the area.
It was gathered that the area became tensed recently following several attacks carried out by the hoodlums who have acquired sophisticated weapons to perpetrate their heinous crimes.
The hoodlums, according to a statement by the Nigerian Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in their recent attacks, killed some policemen in the area including a yet-to-be-identified CSP and carted away their rifles.
Yerima said the incident prompted the troops to join forces with other security agents in order to restore normalcy back to the area.
”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,” the Army spokesman said.
He added, ”Consequently a combined team of Military and [other] 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.”
