…as Police arrest killers of marine hunters…exhume bodies
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed condolences of the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State on the painful and sudden passing of the Commissioner of Police in the state, late Waheed Ayilara.
In a message of condolence released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno eulogized the late Commissioner of Police as “one of the finest operational officers, a genial and fine gentleman who epitomized the finest ideals of the Nigerian Police Force.
“He served our dear state as the Police Commissioner until his sad passing, where he distinguished himself as a crime-buster of no mean repute.
“The late Commissioner of Police was deeply involved with the fabric of our dear state, having served his mandatory National Youth Service here and later came back as the Unit Commander of Police Mobile Unit 26.
“He was a critical member of our state security architecture and alongside other sister security agencies worked hard to position our state as one of the safest, most secure, and serene places to live, work, and invest. He will be deeply missed.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, NPM, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, and indeed the entire members of the Akwa Ibom State security community”.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police has arrested five suspects over the abduction and death of marine hunters from the Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Waterways
The Command has also exhumed bodies, kidnapped, murdered and buried by the suspects in Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
They carried out the exercise Thursday, August 29, 2024, following a tip-off on August 18, 2024, that the Marine Hunters that were abducted and killed were buried in shallow graves within the community.
Upon the tip off, the operatives embarked on a hot chase of the suspects and Anthony Archibong ‘M’ 46 years; Emmanuel Emmanuel Otoyo ‘M’ 18 years; Daniel Edet Okon ‘M’ 26 years; Eniete Harry Tom ‘M’ 34 years, and Joseph Okon ‘M’ 44 years were arrested.
The police team also arrested the village head of Utit Antai, Chief Okon Asuquo Eteokpo, who is alleged to be their ally and spiritual fortifier, and a total of 15 live-cartridges, were recovered from them.
Upon their arrest, a detailed search was conducted and head-less corpses were found in shallow graves.
The police restated their determination to rid the state of crime and criminal elements, appealing to members of the public to always report suspicious people and movements within their domain to the nearest police station.
