The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued two people who were reportedly kidnapped by suspected sea pirates along the waterways of Ibeno Local Government Area.
The victims, identified as a Ghanaian national and a Nigerian, were travelling towards the Atlantic Ocean when they were attacked by the suspected pirates.
The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Baba Azare, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Uyo, explaining that the police responded after receiving information about the incident.
According to him, personnel from the Asawana Mobile Police Base were deployed to the area and later engaged the suspected pirates near the maritime boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
Inside Akwaibom State:
Police Foil Armed Robbery Attack in Akwa Ibom, Arrest Suspect, Recover Locally Made Gun
Police Arrest Six Robbery Suspects, Recover Guns, Motorcycle, Charms In Akwa Ibom
Eight Arrested Over Public Disturbance in Akwa Ibom, Police Deny Shooting
A gun battle reportedly followed, forcing the suspected pirates to abandon their boat and escape through a nearby creek.
The police subsequently rescued both victims unharmed.
Several items were recovered from the scene, including a 200HP outboard engine, a 40HP outboard engine with a W23 flying boat, five 40HP outboard engines and three 9.9HP outboard engines.
Other recovered items included five containers containing mixed 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 NIN number.
The police commissioner also disclosed that two men were arrested in Etinan Local Government Area over alleged transformer vandalism, following cooperation from members of the community.
The suspects were identified as Chinedu Onwe, 31, from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and Enobong Jonah, 35, from Otoro Abak Village in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Police said three large transformer solenoids, a live cartridge, electrical tools, a large steel cutter, a Tecno mobile phone and a tricycle allegedly used to transport the vandalised components were recovered.
A red minibus with registration number ABIA 986 SSM was also recovered during the operation.
Azare commended the officers involved for their prompt response and professionalism, while also praising members of the affected communities for providing information that assisted the police operations.
About the Author
