The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched an investigation into the mysterious death of a 45-year-old man, Udeme Uko, who was shot inside a church in Ikot Oku Usung village, Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state.
News report shows that Uko was sleeping alongside his wife and children inside the church when gunmen stormed the building and shot him in the head around 12:10 am on Tuesday.
Confirming the incident in a statement made available on Wednesday, the state police spokesperson, Timfon John, said Uko was found lying in a pool of blood when officers arrived at the scene.
She said, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the suspected murder of a 45-year-old man, Uko, who was found in a pool of blood while sleeping with his family inside a church in Ukanafun Local Government Area.”
According to her, “The victim, his wife, and children were sleeping at the church in Ikot Oku Usung village when a gunshot was heard.
“Uko was later discovered to have been shot in the head, suggesting either a suicide or an attack by unknown assailants. Investigation will soon reveal the actual cause.”
John added that the police were alerted by concerned citizens after the victim’s wife raised an alarm over the gunshot.
“Upon receiving the information, a team of police officers was immediately dispatched to the scene of the crime. During the visit, a locally made pistol was recovered as an exhibit,” she stated.
The command also said the body was sent to the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, was quoted as having ordered a thorough and swift investigation to uncover the circumstances behind the incident.
“The command is assuring the public that all necessary resources will be deployed to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated to the public as they arise,” the statement added.
A similar incident occurred when another person was shot dead at a local bar in Uyo, the state capital, during a suspected gang-related attack last year.
The killing occurred on Tuesday morning at a popular bar in Ifa Ikot Okpon, located along the new ring road.
Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson disclosed that the attack was a case of armed robbery.
