Police foil armed robbery in Akwa Ibom, kill one suspect

...Victim shot during attack, hospitalised

...Robbers open fire on officers, flee with gun wounds

Akwa Ibom State Police Command thwarted an attempted armed robbery at Annex B Estate in Ikot Ator Village, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, killing one suspect in a shootout while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, 23 July, according to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, who confirmed that police officers responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from a resident in the area.

She explained that the three armed men had already forced their way into a residential lodge when operatives arrived. On seeing the police, the assailants opened fire, prompting a gun battle in which one of them was neutralised, while the other two fled despite sustaining injuries.

During the crossfire, one of the lodge’s occupants was struck by a bullet fired by the robbers. The unnamed victim was taken to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.

Recovered from the scene were a locally made cut-to-size shotgun, one live cartridge, one expended cartridge, four Android phones, a bag containing N5,700 in cash, an industrial cutter, a wristwatch, clothing packed in an Echolac travel box and a Qlink motorcycle with registration number UML 906 QX believed to belong to the robbers.

DSP John added that a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing suspects and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.