BEVERLY HILLS, April 14, (THEWILL) – Four persons suspected to be sea pirates have been killed by officers of the Marine Police along the Atlantic shoreline of Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
Three others were also arrested in a sting operation by the police formation following several reports of the activities of sea pirates along the coastline in recent times.
The seven persons who met their Waterloo yesterday in a fierce gun battle with the police are also suspected to be members of a dreaded armed robbery gang terrorising some parts of the council area on a daily basis.
In a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon, said the killings and arrests followed information on the criminals’ operations along Oron the waterways.
He narrated: “Acting on a very credible intelligence, on 13th April, 2021, Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Marine Police, Oron, embarked on a sting operation, along Ikang Creek, Oron, where they were confronted by sea pirates numbering about thirty-two (32) on board four (4) speed boats, armed with sophisticated weapons.
“The suspects, on sighting the Operatives, opened fire on them. During the ensuing gun battle, four (4) suspects met their waterloo, while others escaped with three (3) speed boats.”
Items recovered from them included: one W23 boat mounted with 115HP Yamaha engine and two rifles as well as six (6) rounds of ammunition.
In a related development, the statement said, a suspect identified as Nsikak Nsikak died of gunshot wounds in hospital following a shoot-out with the police during a robbery operation in Itam axis within Uyo metropolis
The statement said: “Some hoodlums at Itam, within Uyo Metropolis, on sighting the police Operatives fired at them, and during the crossfire, one suspect identified as Nsikak ‘m’ other names unknown sustained bullet wounds, while Imoh Daniel ‘m’ was arrested. The injured suspect was rushed to the Hospital for treatment but gave up the ghost in the process.”
The statement assured residents the Command would continue to partner with critical stakeholders to provide top notch security for every part of the state.
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