From Mfon Ekefre, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has faulted media reports to the effect that scores of people sustained varying degrees of injuries when gunmen struck at the popular fish market in Itu Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson Cordellia Nwawe who is the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), while confirming the attack said an elderly woman was hit by a stray bullet and she died later in the hospital.
She said: “As soon as the incident happened, the police were quickly mobilized and they repelled the attack but that no arrest has been made. We also contacted other commands to block their waterways against militants’ infiltration into Akwa Ibom. This is a warning to Nigerians that if you hear any attacks by gunmen do not run lie flat on the ground to avoid stray bullets”.
A couple of days ago gunmen allegedly dressed in military outfit were alleged to have attacked the fish market and carted away goods worth millions of naira, shooting sporadically in the air to scare away he defenceless traders.
An eyewitness and motorcyclist, who gave his name as Moses Philip told newsmen that the gunmen arrived the market through a nearby river in two speed boats with machine guns and other weapons.
He said that the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare the residents, blocking all access roads leading to the T-Junction market before looting the market.
He added that most of those injured were not hit by stray bullet but were hurt while running for safety.
He also stated that one of the deceased was entering the market when a bullet hit her in the head while another bullet pierced another woman through the thigh and she died on her way to the hospital.
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