A brazen attack at a quarry site in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State has left a police inspector dead and three people, including two Chinese nationals, abducted. The gunmen, reportedly dressed in military camouflage, stormed the Marksino quarry camp around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, breaching security and seizing an AK-47 rifle with Breech No. BE-35-2982 from the slain officer.
Confirming the incident, the Zone Six Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nelson Okpabi, revealed that the attackers gained access to the premises following a security lapse by a civilian gate worker. The armed assailants, who moved with precision, abducted the foreign nationals and a Nigerian employee from the site, heightening tensions in the area known for its mining activities.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone Six, Jonathan Towuru, has responded by initiating an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators. He has also dispatched the Assistant Commissioner of Police from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department to the crime scene to coordinate rescue efforts and investigate the breach.
“Our focus is on securing the safe release of the hostages and ensuring justice for the officer who lost his life in the line of duty,” Okpabi stated, adding that the AIG has vowed to pursue the culprits relentlessly until the kidnapped individuals are freed.
Local sources indicate that this incident marks a disturbing escalation in recent attacks targeting foreign nationals in Nigeria’s mining sector, with Cross River authorities intensifying security measures to protect these high-risk areas. The police inspector’s killing and subsequent abduction of the Chinese and Nigerian workers underscore ongoing security challenges, prompting authorities to ramp up security protocols around vital sites.
As security forces conduct coordinated efforts to clamp down on the perpetrators, the AIG extended condolences to the slain inspector’s family, committing the police force to bring those responsible to justice. This latest incident has sparked calls from local stakeholders for enhanced collaboration between private security teams and state law enforcement to safeguard these vulnerable sites.
