The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has exhumed bodies of kidnapped marine hunters of the Ministry of Internal Security and Inland Waterways.
It was gathered that the victims were kidnapped, murdered and buried in shallow graves, on August 18, by some notorious criminals in Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom.
In a statement on Friday, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, said the Command exhumed the bodies on Thursday.
According to John, the police arrested five suspects, alongside the Village Head of Utit Antai, Chief Okon Asuquo Eteokpo, said to be their ally and spiritual fortifier.
15 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
“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 a 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.
While reiterating the command’s determination to rid the state of crime and criminal elements, she urged the public to always report suspicious people and movements to the nearest police station.