The Akwa Ibom Police Command has confirmed the death of a police officer as unknown gunmen attacked police divisional headquarters in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of the state. Another police division was unsuccessfully attacked, a spokesman added.

The attack which occurred on Wednesday morning came barely three days after gunmen wreaked havoc on a Divisional Police Headquarters in Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, killing six police officers and a civilian.

Social media accounts detailed that vehicles, and other valuables were destroyed by the gunmen during the attack on two different police facilities at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Confirming the attack in a statement on Wednesday, police spokesman in Akwa Ibom, Odiko Macdon, said the attackers were repelled by officers on duty.

Mr Macdon said the attackers drove into the station in two vehicles wielding dangerous weapons including AK-47 rifles.

He further disclosed that the deceased police constable identified as Edogi Bassey was killed while trying to repel the attackers at the early hours of Wednesday.

 “At about 6:30 a.m. today, armed men in their numbers, armed with AK 47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, in two vehicles attacked the rented building housing the Etim Ekpo Area Command and Division,” Mr Macdon said

“Unfortunately, a dedicated officer, one PC Edogi Bassey, paid the supreme price while a small portion of the building was torched,” he added.

After being repelled at the Etim Ekpo police division, the gunmen failed at another attempt to attack Ika division.

Former police inspector general Mohammed Adamu while in office, accused the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) of carrying out the deadly campaigns in the South-South and South-East regions.

Attacks on security facilities have further escalated since security forces eliminated IPOB commander Ikonso at his Awomamma village in April.

Attacks on police facilities in the regions have forced the police command in Delta state to ask its officers to desist from taking up escort duties to specific states in the South-South and South-East region till the region’s security situation improves.

The worrisome spate of attacks across the country continue to raise concerns on President Muhammadu Buhari’s capacity to adequately address the country’s worsening security situation.