The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has exhumed the bodies of marine hunters who were kidnapped, murdered, and buried by notorious criminals in Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area.
The police have also arrested those suspected to be behind the gruesome murder.
The police statement on Friday, by the command’s spokesperson Timfon John, revealed that the bodies were exhumed on Thursday after information surfaced that the hunters were killed and buried in shallow graves.
The Village Head of Utit Antai, Chief Okon Asuquo Eteokpo, who was allegedly helping to protect the suspects, was also arrested.
Timfon John said, “The command’s operatives upon getting the information embarked on a hot chase of the suspects and arrested the following suspects, Anthony Archibong ‘M’ 46yrs, Emmanuel Emmanuel Otoyo ‘M’ 18yrs, Daniel Edet Okon ‘M’ 26yrs, Eniete Harry Tom ‘M’ 34yrs, Joseph Okon ‘M’ 44yrs were arrested alongside the Village Head of Utit Antai, Chief Okon Asuquo Eteokpo, who is said to be their ally and spiritual fortifier; while a total of 15 live cartridges were recovered from them.”
He added, “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 police reassured the public of their strong commitment to fighting crime in the state, urging people to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
“The command has again reassured members of the public of their intentional determination to rid the State of crime and criminal elements appealing to members of the public to always report suspicious people and movements within their domain to the nearest police station,” the statement read.
