The Akwa Ibom Police Command rescued 28 fishermen who had been kidnapped by a five-man gang in Akwakpa, Uruan Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi, revealed this on Friday during a press conference in Uyo.
He explained how intelligence was used to save the fishermen.
The victims were held hostage by the gang at the creek for more than eight hours before being freed by marine officers.
“The 28 men and women you see here are the people rescued by police marine officers. Victims at about 18:00hrs on (Thursday were attacked at sea by five-man gang pirates. They seized the boats of the victims and put them where they would not come out.
“These men of the underworld will pretend to be fishermen and we’ve actually caught five of them before and they are in detention; the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.
“Pretending to be fishermen, the gang bumped into the victims and asked them to get into the boat,” he said.
Fortunately, one of the victims had the phone number of the local government chairman, who later alerted the CP.
”The usual practice is that the man and women go out on Thursday and come back on a Sunday. They were there all through the night searching where the victims are and by 10:00hrs, my officers found them around a creek with their boat.
”As I speak, the detachment of the marine officers are still trailing the suspects,” he said.
Victims have been taken to the police clinic for proper medical attention and thereafter, reunite with their families.
CP Durosinmi assured that the command would continue to ensure that the state”s land and water remained safe for the people.
“I have taken care of the victims, I will take them to the police clinic and they will be released to members of their families soon.
“I want to assure the public that I will do all within my powers to ensure that Akwa Ibom is safe on both land and at sea,’” the CP said.