A’Ibom police nab transformer vandals, free fishermen
Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two men over the alleged vandalisation of a community transformer in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, and rescued a group of fishermen, including a Ghanaian national, who were abducted by suspected sea pirates.
Officers received information at about 3.11 am on 1 October that suspected vandals had stripped the transformer and carted away several components in a tricycle, before transferring them to a red minibus.
Emem Okon
Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two men over the alleged vandalisation of a community transformer in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, and rescued a group of fishermen, including a Ghanaian national, who were abducted by suspected sea pirates.
Officers received information at about 3.11 am on 1 October that suspected vandals had stripped the transformer and carted away several components in a tricycle, before transferring them to a red minibus.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said during a press conference on Thursday, 2 October 2026 that the police intercepted the vehicle along the Etinan route.
She added that the suspects allegedly opened fire on the officers, abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush. With help from residents, police combed the area and arrested two suspects at about 5.14 am.
“They were identified as Chinedu Onwe, 31, from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and Enobong Jonah, 35, from Otoro Abak village in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
“Items recovered include three large transformer coils, one live cartridge, assorted electrical tools, a large steel cutter, a Tecno mobile phone, the tricycle and the red minibus, with number plate ABIA 986 SSM,” she said.
In a separate operation, she said police rescued the fishermen, who were attacked and abducted on 30 September while travelling towards the Atlantic Ocean through the waterways of Ibeno Local Government Area, the State Police Command said.
According to her, the police acting on a tip-off received at about 7 am, officers from the Asawana Mobile Police Base intercepted the suspected pirates near the ocean boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
She noted that the two sides exchanged gunfire, after which the suspects abandoned their boat and fled into a nearby creek. The victims were rescued unharmed.
Police recovered a 200HP outboard engine, a 40HP engine fitted to a flying boat, five other 40HP engines and three 9.9HP engines. Other items included five containers of petrol, four empty containers, three gas cylinders, 29 SIM cards, several mobile phones, a power bank, a starter motor battery, a torchlight and an identity card bearing a National Identification Number (NIN).
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers for their courage and quick response, and thanked residents for their cooperation. He described effective policing as a shared responsibility between the police and the public.
He warned those involved in vandalism, sea piracy, abduction and other violent crimes that the command would pursue them and bring them to justice. He stressed that all suspects remain presumed innocent until a court rules otherwise.
Residents were urged to stay vigilant, report suspicious persons and activities promptly, and avoid confronting suspected criminals or taking the law into their own hands.
