By Jonathan Ugbal
Less than 24 hours after the Chief of Staff to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, Mr. Martin Orim was attacked by gunmen at Biase axis of the Ikom – Calabar highway, a Senior Police Officer in the State Command, Essien Efoli suffered the same fate.
Efoli, a Chief Superintendent of Police, was attacked close to the scene where Mr. Orim’s convoy was attacked early on Monday. He is the Commander of Operation Restore Peace, formerly known as Operation Puff Adder. He has served as Commander of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad and has led several Divisions in the State.
He was driving to Calabar from his community, Nko, in Yakurr Local Government Area with his wife when the attack happened.
A source close to his family told CrossRiverWatch that he evaded the attackers and proceeded on his journey.
In a similar vein, a relative of Mr. Orim told CrossRiverWatch on Monday morning that many who were in his convoy were shaken at the attack especially as the tire of a vehicle used by his security detail who returned fire at the attackers was destroyed in the gunfight.
Mr. Orim was returning from the funeral of the mother of Superintendent of Police, SP Augustine Aniah, Mama Mary Allah Aniah who was buried in Obudu on Saturday.
SP Aniah served as the Aide De Camp to Governor Ayade between 2015 and 2018.