x

Police rescue 28 kidnapped fishermen in A’Ibom

By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo

The Police in Akwa Ibom have rescued 28 fishermen kidnapped by a gang of sea pirates operating along the Athlantic coast in Akwakpa, in Uruan Local Council of the state.

State Police Commissioner , Olatoye Durosinmi who disclosed this while interacting with journalists in Uyo on Friday, said the fishermen were rescued through intelligence.

Durosinmi explained that he drafted marine officers who were able to rescue the victims at the creeks, where they were held hostage for over eight hours as soon as authorities were alerted of their kidnap adding that the pirates always pose as fishermen to carry out their nefarious act on unsuspecting fishermen.

“The 28 men and women you see here are the people rescued by police marine officers. The victims at about 18: 00hrs yesterday were attacked on the sea by a five man gang pirates. They seized their boat and put them where they will not come out.

“These men of the underworld will pretend to be fishermen and we’ve actually caught five of them before and they are in detention, the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.

” The five armed gang pretending to be fishermen bumped into them and asked them to get into the boat. Fortunately, one of them had the phone number of the local government chairman who later alerted me. The usual practice is that they go out on Thursday and come back on a Sunday.

“They were there all through the night searching where they were and by 10:00hr my officers found them around a creek with their boats. As I speak, the detachment of the marine officers are still trailing the suspects.” The commisioner explained.

He said that the command would conduct a thorough medical check on the victims and thereafter reunite them to their families even as he promised to continue to ensure that the state”s land and water remain safe for the people.

“I have taken care of them and I will take them to police clinic and they will be released to members of their family soon. I want to assure the public that I will do all within my powers to ensure that Akwa Ibom is safe both land and sea.” Durosinmi said.

One of the victims, Victoria Pius said they were traders while the pirates collected all their money running into millions of Naira.

“I go there to buy fish. They collected about N1million from me alone, which was part of a loan I collected which I pay back N100, 000 monthly including money given to me by other people to buy things for them.

“They carried us to a place we didn’t know, they covered our faces, striped me to ensure I didn’t hide the money in my privates.

“They shot in the air severally, beat us mercilessly before collecting our things. They also carried our three boat engines. Thank God that police came this morning and rescued us.” She narrated.

Hot this week

Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu as Sole 2027 Presidential Candidate

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa The All Progressives Congress (APC) in...

3.000 athletes jostle for honours at A”Ibom Sports Festival

By Ogenyi Ogenyi At least 3,000 athletes from across the...

NUPENG Suspends Strike as Dangote Agrees to Unionisation Demands

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers...

Army Captain Arraigned for Killing Terrorists’ Informant – Birnin-Gwari Vanguard Raises Concern

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and...

Breaking: FG Set to Integrate Organ Transplant Services Into NHIA

… To End Unethical Local Organ Transplantation Practices By Joyce...

Pray for Peace, Development of Nigeria, Mahmoud Urges FCT Christian Pilgrims

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud,...

Light Up Abuja Programme: Wike To Flag-Off Construction of New Roads, Light Projects

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT),...

Tinubu tasks Catholic Bishops on national peace and development

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo President Bola Tinubu has called on...

CSGGG Hails Rivers Sole Administrator’s Leadership

…Says Peace Brokered, Trust Restored…Lauds Transformative Governance, Credits Tinubu’s...

Tribune Abuja Bureau Chief, Dr. Leon Usigbe, Laid to Rest Amid Cries, Tributes

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The late Tribune Abuja Bureau Chief, Chief...

Breaking: FG Set to Integrate Organ Transplant Services Into NHIA

… To End Unethical Local Organ Transplantation Practices By Joyce...

Atissa Youth Council Urges NDDC to Rescue Famgbe, Obogoro from Erosion

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa Two historic communities in Bayelsa State,...

Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway to Boost Trade, Regional Integration

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, a major...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img