The Cross River State Police Command says unknown gunmen have killed four of its officers at a check point.
The yet to be identified policemen, two Inspectors and two Sergeants, were killed in the early hours of Thursday at a check point along MCC – Idundun Road in Calabar.

Their dead bodies were seen on the floor in their pool of blood as a team of police men recovered the two riffles that were left behind.

Policemen gathered in small groups discussing the unfortunate incident which may not be unconnected with the with the success story of Operation Akpakwu, a special security squad that has clamped down on kidnappers and other criminals in the city.
“I stay just 100 meters away from the Police Check point where the incident happened. I finished watering my garden  at about 11 pm and went to bed ,at about 12 :50 a.m I started hearing gun shots,” said an eye witness who pleaded anonymity.

“It lasted for few minutes, and more than the usual because they usually shoot in the air at night as as a way to show they were on guard. When we woke up this morning was when we realized that four police have been killed and two rifles carted away.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Miss Irene Ugbo said that the bitter incident has thrown the Command into grief .
“It is quite unfortunate and we feel really sad and in mourning mood about the death of the four officers who lost their lives,” Ugbo said.

She said that investigations into the matter have begun, assuring that the culprits will be caught and brought to book no matter how far they run or hide.