A group of fishermen rescued by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command after an alleged sea piracy attack in Ibeno Local Government Area included a Ghanaian national, according to the police.
The fishermen were travelling towards the Atlantic Ocean when suspected sea pirates reportedly attacked and abducted them on September 30. The incident occurred at about 7am along the waterways of Ibeno, a coastal area in Akwa Ibom State.
The police received information about the attack and quickly mobilised officers from the Asawana Mobile Police Base. The operatives moved towards the area and later encountered the suspected pirates around the ocean boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
The police said the encounter triggered an exchange of gunfire between the officers and the suspected criminals. The confrontation forced the suspects to abandon their boat and escape through a nearby creek.
Fishermen rescued after exchange of gunfire
The police successfully rescued the victims after the suspected pirates fled the scene. The command said the fishermen escaped the incident unharmed.
The operation also produced several items that the suspects allegedly abandoned while fleeing. According to the police, officers recovered a 200-horsepower outboard engine and a 40-horsepower engine attached to a W23 flying boat.
The officers also recovered five additional 40-horsepower outboard engines and three 9.9-horsepower engines. The recovered equipment suggests that the suspects had access to several boats and engines used around the waterways.
Police also found five containers containing mixed Premium Motor Spirit, four empty containers and three gas cylinders at the scene. Officers recovered several mobile phones, 29 SIM cards, a power bank, a starter motor battery and a torchlight.
An identity card bearing a National Identification Number was also among the items recovered during the operation.
The police have not publicly identified the suspects who fled after the gun battle. The command described them as suspected sea pirates and said it would continue efforts to track down those responsible for the attack.
The incident adds to security concerns around Nigeria’s coastal waterways, where fishermen depend on boats and outboard engines to carry out their daily activities. Attacks in such areas can affect both the safety of fishermen and their ability to continue their work.
Police strengthen response to maritime crimes
The rescue comes as security agencies continue operations against piracy, kidnapping and sea robbery in Akwa Ibom’s riverine communities.
The Nigerian Navy also reported a separate operation in Ibeno on September 30. The Navy said its Maritime Quick Response Team from Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE acted on intelligence about suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen, their boats and outboard engines.
During that operation, naval personnel rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines. The Navy said the suspects fled after security forces confronted them.
The separate operations show the continued security activity around Ibeno and its surrounding waterways. They also highlight the importance of timely information from residents and people who operate within the coastal communities.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare commended the officers involved in the rescue operation. He also appreciated members of the affected communities for providing information that helped the police respond quickly.
The commissioner warned criminal groups involved in sea piracy, abduction and other violent crimes that the command would continue to pursue them within the law.
The command also urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities to security agencies. Police advised members of the public not to confront suspected criminals or take the law into their own hands.
For the fishermen involved in the latest incident, the police response ended the ordeal without reported injuries. The command will now face the task of identifying and apprehending the suspected pirates who escaped into the nearby creek.
The recovery of several outboard engines and other equipment could also assist investigators as they examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine whether the recovered items came from previous incidents.
The police operation therefore not only secured the fishermen rescued from the suspected pirates but also disrupted the activities of a group allegedly operating along the waterways.
As security agencies continue patrols around Ibeno and other coastal communities, fishermen and other waterway users remain dependent on effective security responses to protect their lives, boats and equipment while carrying out their daily activities.
