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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested the village head of Utit Antai village in the Unyene community of the Mbo Local Government of the state, Okon Asuquo Etteokpo, and 12 others for allegedly kidnapping and beheading three marine hunters.
LIB earlier reported that the bodies of the hunters attached to the Ministry of International Security and Inland Waterways, were exhumed on August 29, 2024.
The notorious criminals allegedly kidnapped the hunters, beheaded and buried them in a shadow grave in a forest. The village head is alleged to be their ally and spiritual fortifier.
The State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Eribo, disclosed this to journalists in Uyo on Monday, September 30, 2024, while parading the suspects along with other criminals.
According to the CP, the suspects were arrested following intelligence that revealed that the marine hunters were killed and buried at a shadow grave in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo LGA.
He said upon 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 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 terrorise Oron waterways and its environs,” the CP stated.
“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, including 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 fortified.
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 punishing the erring one.
