Eric Patrick
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 54 suspects in a series of operations across the state and successfully repelled a sea piracy attack along the Oron-Calabar waterways.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this during a press briefing in Uyo on Thursday, where he highlighted major operational achievements by the command between May and June 2025.
According to Azare, marine police operatives were on a search and rescue mission on May 10, 2025, around 12:00 p.m., when they received intelligence about an ongoing sea piracy attack targeting fishermen in the area.
“On receiving the report, marine operatives mobilised swiftly to the scene. Upon sighting the patrol boats, the pirates opened fire. A gun battle ensued, forcing the suspects, some of whom sustained bullet wounds and flee into a nearby shallow creek,” the commissioner said.
The police pursued the attackers into the creek, where they uncovered and raided a pirates’ hideout.
Items recovered at the scene are one W23 speedboat with a 200HP Yamaha engine gearbox, one 15HP Yamaha engine, dismantled engine parts.
Others include one Dane gun, one improvised toolbox, one engine petrol generator, one OX standing fan, a rubber container filled with materials suspected to be charms, a white candle, black wallet containing a WAEC ID card, and other items.
In addition to repelling the piracy attack, CP Azare said the command made significant progress in other areas during the review period, including: Arrest of suspected cultists, recovery of illegal firearms, arrest of suspected armed robbers, and foiling of a pipeline vandalism attempt.
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He recounted an incident on May 9, 2025, where police operatives responded to a distress call about a suspected vandal at Ikot Oboron.
“Officers intercepted and arrested one Ekwere Obiowo Ernest, 36, a native of Ukam in the Edemeya clan, caught in the act of vandalising oil pipelines,” Azare stated.
Items recovered from the scene included one Fireman FGP 088EG generator, One filing iron, Multiple spanners, a Siemens Germany toolbox, among other tools used in the illegal activity.
CP Azare reaffirmed the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of residents, both on land and at sea.