The Akwa Ibom Police Command has successfully rescued a group of fishermen, including a Ghanaian national, who were allegedly abducted by suspected sea pirates along the waterways of Ibeno Local Government Area. The rescue operation occurred on Wednesday, following a tip-off received by the Command at about 7:00 a.m.
Personnel of the Asawana Mobile Police Base were immediately deployed to the area and encountered the suspected pirates around the ocean boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. An exchange of gunfire ensued, forcing the suspected pirates to abandon their boat and flee into a nearby creek, while the police rescued the victims unharmed.
Among the items recovered were one 200HP outboard engine, one 40HP outboard engine with a W23 flying boat, five 40HP outboard engines, and three 9.9HP outboard engines. The police also recovered five containers of mixed Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), four empty containers, three gas cylinders, mobile phones, 29 SIM cards, a power bank, a starter motor battery, a torchlight, and an identity card bearing a National Identification Number (NIN).
In a separate operation in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, the Command arrested two suspects over the alleged vandalisation of a community transformer and recovery of its components. The suspects were arrested after police received information at about 3:11 a.m. on Thursday that suspected criminals had vandalised a transformer and transported the stolen components in a tricycle.
Police operatives reportedly intercepted the suspected vehicle along the Etinan route, but the occupants allegedly opened fire on the officers during the ensuing pursuit and escaped into a nearby bush. A coordinated search involving members of the community led to the arrest of Chinedu Onwe, 31, of Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, and Enobong Jonah, 35, of Otoro Abak Village, Abak LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers involved in both operations for their prompt response, courage, and professionalism. He also acknowledged the role of residents in providing information that contributed to the operations, stressing that effective policing requires cooperation between security agencies and the public.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the Command would sustain intelligence-led operations against maritime criminals and those targeting critical infrastructure. The Commissioner warned suspected sea pirates, abductors, transformer vandals, and other criminal networks that the Command would continue to identify and bring offenders to justice in accordance with the law.
Key points
- The Akwa Ibom Police Command rescued a group of fishermen abducted by suspected sea pirates and recovered 10 outboard engines and other items.
- The police also arrested two suspects over the alleged vandalisation of a community transformer and recovered its components.
- The Command commended the officers involved in both operations for their prompt response, courage, and professionalism.
