Police exhume bodies of slain marine hunters, arrest village head, others in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has exhumed bodies of marine hunters of the Ministry of Internal Security and Inland Waterways who were kidnapped, murdered and buried by criminals in Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, ASP Timfon John in a release on Friday, said upon the exhumation of the corpse, their heads were dismembered.

She said the suspected killers were arrested following intelligence and a total of 15 live cartridges were recovered from them.

The PPRO named the suspects to include: Anthony Archibong ‘M’ 46yrs, Emmanuel Otoyo ‘M’ 18yrs, Daniel Edet Okon ‘M’ 26yrs, Eniete Harry Tom ‘M’ 34yrs, Joseph Okon ‘M’ 44yrs and the village head of Utit Antai, Chief Okon Asuquo Eteokpo who is said to be their ally and spiritual fortifier.

“The Command made the Exhumation on Thursday, August 29, 2024, following information it received on the 18th of August, 2024 that the Marine Hunters who were abducted and killed were buried in shallow graves within the community.

“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.”