Akwa Ibom: Police rescue two kidnapped victims along Ibeno waterways

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says its operatives on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, rescued two kidnapped victims of sea piracy along the waterways of Ibeno Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Baba Azare, who disclosed this at a press conference in Uyo on Friday, said the victims included a Ghanaian national and a Nigerian who were attacked while travelling towards the Atlantic Ocean.

He said, “Personnel of the Asawana Mobile Police Base were immediately mobilised to the area. The operatives subsequently encountered the suspected pirates around the ocean boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

“The suspected pirates eventually abandoned their boat and escaped into a nearby creek, while the Police successfully rescued the victims unharmed.”

He listed the items recovered from the scene to include one 200HP outboard engine, one 40HP outboard engine with a W23 flying boat, five 40HP outboard engines, three 9.9HP outboard engines, five containers of mixed PMS, four empty containers, three gas cylinders, mobile phones, 29 SIM cards, one power bank, one starter motor battery, one torchlight and an identity card bearing a NIN number, among other items.

The commissioner also announced that operatives, with the cooperation of community members in Etinan, arrested two suspected transformer vandals identified as Chinedu Onwe, 31, male, of Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, and Enobong Jonah, 35, male, of Otoro Abak Village, Abak LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

“Items recovered during the operation include three large transformer solenoids, one live cartridge, assorted electrical tools, one large steel cutter, one Tecno mobile phone, one tricycle allegedly used to convey the vandalised components, and a red minibus with registration number ABIA 986 SSM.”

The commissioner, who commended the officers and men involved in both operations for their courage, professionalism, vigilance and prompt response, equally appreciated members of the affected communities whose timely information and cooperation contributed significantly to the successes recorded, stressing that effective policing remains a shared responsibility between the Police and the public.