Gunmen Kill 2 In A/Ibom, 2 Suspects Arrested

Unidentified gunmen have killed two persons in Ikot Apaden, in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Sources close to the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that one of the victims was Chief Christopher Ikpe, a community leader in Ekin village and one Bernard Udoma.

The incident was said to have occurred a few metres from Akwa Ibom State University

in Ikot Apanen, Mkpat Enin council area.

NAN learnt that there was a gun battle between the gunmen and the police lasting several minutes and scaring away people from the crime scene.

The sources said that it remained unclear if the unidentified gunmen were armed robbers

or hired assassins because they actually had a drink with the chief before he was killed.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom , ASP Onyeka

Orji, confirmed the incident saying that gunmen killed two unidentified persons during

the operation.

Orji said that two members of the gang had been arrested while others fled with

gunshot wounds, adding that the police was still on their trail.

According to him, the police recovered an AK 47 rifle and 22 rounds of

ammunition as well as the Hiace bus used for the operation.