CRIME: Police rescue abducted fishermen, arrest transformer vandals in A'Ibom

Michael Ufot 

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued abducted fishermen from sea pirates and arrested two suspected transformer vandals in separate operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on October 2, 2026.

According to the statement, operatives intercepted suspected vandals who had vandalised a community transformer in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in the early hours of October 1, after credible intelligence that the suspects carted away components with a tricycle before transferring them into a red minibus.

The police said operatives mobilised and intercepted the vehicle along Etinan route. During the chase, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into the bush.

A coordinated search with community assistance led to the arrest of two suspects at about 5:14 a.m. — Chinedu Onwe, 31, of Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, and Enobong Jonah, 35, of Otoro Abak Village, Abak LGA.

Items recovered include three large transformer solenoids, one live cartridge, assorted electrical tools, a large steel cutter, one Tecno phone, a tricycle and a red minibus with registration number ABIA 986 SSM.

In a separate operation, personnel of the Asawana Mobile Police Base rescued fishermen, including a Ghanaian national, who were abducted by sea pirates along Ibeno waterways on September 30.

The fishermen were reportedly attacked while travelling towards the Atlantic Ocean. The police said operatives encountered the pirates around the ocean boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The pirates abandoned their boat and escaped into a creek, while the victims were rescued unharmed.

Recovered from the scene were one 200HP outboard engine, five 40HP engines, one 40HP engine with a W23 flying boat, three 9.9HP engines, five containers of mixed PMS, gas cylinders, 29 SIM cards, mobile phones, a power bank, a starter battery, a torchlight and an ID card bearing a NIN, among others.

CP Azare commended officers for their courage and professionalism and appreciated communities for timely information, stressing that effective policing is a shared responsibility.

He warned vandals, pirates and other criminal networks that the command will continue to pursue and bring offenders to justice, while reminding the public that suspects remain innocent until proven guilty by court.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements promptly.