Marine Police operatives conducting search and rescue operations along the Oron/Calabar waterways have averted a bloody attack by marine robbers popularly known as sea pirates, injuring about seven in a gun duel.
The police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, said the repelling of the criminals on a speedboat, followed distress calls and a quick response by the marine Police tactical team.
On the incident at the state command headquarters, Miss John explained that “operatives received information about an ongoing sea pirate attack. The report indicated that approximately seven pirates in a speedboat were attacking individuals in the area.”
She said, “Upon receiving the distress call, the officer-in-charge of the marine police swiftly mobilised and led operatives to the scene. On sighting the marine police patrol boats, the hoodlums opened fire sporadically. The police operatives returned fire, forcing the pirates, who sustained bullet wounds, to escape into a shallow creek inaccessible to the Police boats.”
“Subsequently, the police invaded the pirates’ camp, which was successfully raided,” she recalled, disclosing that several items, including a One W23 speedboat fitted with a single 200 hp Yamaha engine gearbox, one 15 hp Yamaha engine, dismantled engine parts, one Dane gun, and one improvised toolbox, were found.”
Others included one Emage petrol generator, one OX standing fan, a rubber container with materials suspected to be charms, one white candle, one black wallet containing one WAEC ID card with the name ‘Patrick Edet Effiong’, two recent passport photographs, and one brown handbag containing some tablets.
She also listed two rounds of K2 live ammunition, two empty shells of K2 ammunition, one wristwatch, one marker, one perfume, one black thread and needle and one body cream, saying “efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”