Akwa Ibom State police command have apprehended the village head of Utit Antai village in Unyenge community of Mbo Local Government of the state Okon Asuquo Etteokpo and 12 others for allegedly kidnapping and beheaded three marine hunters in the area.
Marine hunters are the new security operatives recruited by Akwa Ibom State government through the state ministry of Internal Security to protect community and compliment efforts of the Nigeria Police in community policing, including riverine areas of the state
It was gathered that the suspects who allegedly abducted their victims, killed and beheaded them while their bodies were buried in shallow graves in a forest, were getting their spiritual strength from the village head.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of police, Joseph Eribo during his maiden press briefing in Uyo on Tuesday while parading the suspects at the State police command headquarter with other criminals said that suspects were arrested following intelligence which revealed that the marine hunters were killed and buried at a shallow grave in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo LGA.
He said upon the the arrest of the suspects the operatives launched a comprehensive search for the corpses and found them buried in shallow graves with their heads dismembered.
“On Thursday, August 29, 2024, following information received on the 18th of August, 2024 that the Marine Hunters abducted and killed were buried in a shallow graves within the community, the Command’s operatives upon getting the information embarked on a hot chase of a gang of sea pirates/kidnappers led by one Success (other names) unknown who usually terrorize Oron waterways and its environs.
“The intelligence gathered revealed that they were camping in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo L.G.A. The Command operatives combed the areas and arrested the suspects” Eribo said
He disclosed that about 15 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects whom he listed to include one Jephter Inwang, Clement Emmanuel, Promise Nkerobia, Anthony Atte, Nkereuwem Edet and Joseph Asuquo
Others include Anietie Tom ,Gad Inwang, Emmanuel Otoyo Emmanuel, Daniel Ekpo, Mary Edet Isong and Godswill Jackson and the village head of Utit Antai village in Unyene community, Okon Asuquo Etteokpo who is said to be their ally and spiritual fortifier
Also paraded include one Ukpono Etim Effiong, Samuel Young and Faith Richard for unlawful possession of firearm
The CP said ” On 05/09/2024, one Abasiama James reported to the Command through a written petition. On the strength of the report, Operatives of the Command swung into action and arrested one Ukpono Etim Effiong and immediately a search was executed in his house and premises.
“Items recovered from his possession includes; one locally made short gun with 19.87mm life ammunition and a four (4) gallon containing raw acid. Suspect will soon be charged to court.
“Also on 19/08/2024 at about 12:30pm, operatives of the Command during active stop and search along Ikot Obong road by Mary Slessor in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A intercepted one Samuel Bassey Young and Faith Richard Peter searched and recovered a Beretta pistol and some wraps suspected to be Indian hemp.
“Suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned other names. Efforts are ongoing to arrest others who are at large”
Eribo called on officers and men of the command to sustain the peace being enjoyed in the state adding that the command would not hesitate to reward any outstanding police officer or officers for doing a good job while at the same time punish erring ones.
