The bodies of kidnapped marine hunters from the Ministry of Internal Security and Inland Waterways have been recovered by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
The marine hunters were reportedly abducted on August 18, in Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom. They were later reported killed and buried in shallow graves.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, stated in a statement on Friday that the bodies were exhumed by the Command on Thursday.
ASP John added that in addition to the recovery of the bodies, the police took into custody Chief Okon Asuquo Eteokpo, the Village Head of Utit Antai, who was said to be the spiritual head of the criminals and five other suspects.
In the same development, fifteen live cartridges were discovered and retrieved from the criminals.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has exhumed bodies of marine hunters of the Ministry of Internal Security and Inland Waterways who were kidnapped, murdered and buried by notorious criminals in Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area.
“The Command made the exhumation on Thursday, August 29, 2024, following an information it received on the 18th of August, 2024 that the Marine Hunters that were 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 the suspects and arrested the suspects.
“Upon their arrest, a combined team of the Command launched a comprehensive search for the corpses and found them buried in shallow graves after hours of frantic toil, with their heads dismembered,” the PRO said.
She reminded the public that the command is committed to eliminating crime and criminal elements from the state and asked them to report suspicious individuals and movements to the closest police station at all times.