On Thursday evening, a police inspector was fatally shot during an armed attack on a quarry site in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State.
The inspector, whose identity was not immediately released, was on duty when a group of armed assailants stormed the premises, seizing his service weapon, an AK-47 rifle with Breech No. BE-35-2982.
The assailants, reportedly dressed in military camouflage, entered the Marksino quarry camp around 5:20 p.m. and swiftly overpowered the security on site. Alongside killing the inspector, they kidnapped three workers—a Nigerian and two Chinese nationals—creating an atmosphere of fear and urgency within the community.
An official police statement, signed by Zone Six Police Public Relations Officer SP Nelson Okpabi, confirmed the incident and emphasized the grave nature of the security breach.
According to Okpabi, an error by a civilian worker at the entrance allowed the attackers to access the quarry compound, leading to the tragic events that unfolded.
In response, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone Six, AIG Jonathan Towuru, has ordered an intensive manhunt to locate and apprehend those responsible.
Towuru directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department to take immediate action at the crime scene, launching efforts to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped workers and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The AIG commiserates with the slain inspector’s family, relatives, and friends,” the statement read. “He has resolved not to rest on his oars until the victims are released and justice served on those behind the dastardly act.”
