Village Head Declared Wanted as Police Bust Militant Syndicate in Akwa Ibom

In a significant breakthrough, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has declared the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village wanted following revelations of his alleged involvement in a militant and piracy network operating across the state’s coastal areas.

The announcement was made by Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters in Uyo on Tuesday. The police, in collaboration with Marine Hunters, recently arrested a suspected militant, Samuel Geofrey, 27, from Bayelsa State, who admitted to active engagement in sea piracy and kidnapping. Geofrey revealed that his operational rifle was held by the Village Head, Kingdom Bane. Upon police arrival at the Village Head’s residence, he reportedly fled, leading to a manhunt currently underway.

A search of the Village Head’s residence uncovered numerous stolen items believed taken from sea travelers, including marine engines of varying horsepower, power heads, gearboxes, generators, a deep freezer, various household goods, and personal effects belonging to a victim from Anambra State.

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CP Azare vowed that the Police Command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that criminals, regardless of status or title, face justice. “Our operations stretch from the creeks of Mbo to the heart of Uyo. We will pursue every suspect until they are brought to justice,” he affirmed.

In addition to this operation, the police also disclosed the arrest of suspects involved in illegal firearm manufacturing and masquerade-related robberies, highlighting a wider crackdown on crime within the state.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command appeals to residents for vigilance and cooperation to sustain the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in the region. The suspect, Samuel Geofrey, is currently in custody and will soon be arraigned in court as the search intensifies for the fleeing Village Head.

This decisive action underscores the commitment of law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks terrorizing Akwa Ibom’s coastal communities and ensures that such criminal activities receive the full weight of the law.