6 suspected pirates killed in Akwa-Ibom waterways

A Special Force in Akwa Ibom State has reportedly killed six sea pirates in a gun duel along the Eastern Obolo Escravos, recovered a speedboat, three 200 horsepower engines, AK 47 rifles, and other sophisticated weapons and charms.

Chairman of Ibeno Council, Williams Mkpah, disclosed this in Ibeno, while addressing a team of the Special Force Squad that killed the suspected sea pirates in a fierce gun battle during routine security patrol on the waterways.

He said a new strategy had been adopted to ensure safety and security of the shoreline for fishing activities, urging indigenes and residents to remain calm and go about their activities without fear, assuring them of a secure, peaceful and safe environment.

Mkpah commended members of the Special Force for their professionalism and for justifying the resources the council had spent on tackling insecurity in the area

He, however, frowned on the poor standard of living in Ibeno and the exorbitant rate which fish, crayfish and other sea foods are now sold in the area, stressing that he could not be Council Chairman and sit back to watch his people suffer without taking proactive steps to ameliorate their plight.

“Our farmyard is the water. Once you take away our farmyard, we cannot function again and that means you have taken away the occupation of Ibeno people and indirectly killing us.

“We have suffered enough in the hands of sea pirates. They attack our people, seize their boats and engines and demand ransom amounting to millions of naira. Sometimes they kidnap the owners, their boats and engines,” he stated.

Reacting to questions on how he was able to initiate and bring the ‘Special Force’ to Ibeno. Mkpah said: “The Special Force specialises in marine security. In my desire to make Ibeno secure and safer for business, I inaugurated the Special Marine Security Outfit some months ago to monitor and safeguard our shoreline, which result we are beginning to witness.

“I provided four units of 200 horsepower engines, two 75 horsepower engines and two security patrol speed boats with additional 200 horsepower engine and backup surveillance boat.” (The Guardian)