Police rescue 28 fish traders kidnapped by sea pirates in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued 28 fish traders kidnapped by suspected sea pirates in Uruan Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, who disclosed this in a statement signed by spokesperson of the command, SP Odiko MacDon on Friday, July 15, said the victims were rescued through intelligence. 

The police boss said the pirates always posed as fishermen to carry out their nefarious activities. 

“On Thursday, July the 14th, at about 10:00pm, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command received a distress call from the Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, Hon. Iniobong Ekpeyong that a market boat conveying fish traders from Ishiet Market in Adiadia community had been attacked and occupants kidnapped by sea pirates along the Uruan Water Channel,” the statement read. 

According to the statement, the CP mobilised Tactical Teams and the Command’s Marine Police to go after the hoodlums.

“At about 1:30pm today, July the 15th, the Akwa Ibom State Marine Police, who had been trailing the hoodlums, closed in on them after an aggressive search, causing the evil men to abandoned their victims at the creeks after robbing them of various sums of money, macheted two and burnt one of their engine boats,”

“The victims were successfully rescued and brought to the Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters and those in need of medical attention were taken to the police Clinic for treatment.”

Meanwhile, the CP visited the Uwaniba Beach and Ishiet Market in Adadia Community in Uruan LGA in company of the LGA Chairman where he met with Community Leaders and Youths.

He assured them that the police will spare no resources in safeguarding lives and property in the state.

The CP urged them to continue to cooperate with Security Agencies and report criminal and suspicious elements around their locality to them or call any of the Command’s emergency HOTLINES: 08039213071  08189243935 08081388797.