Operatives of the Marine Division, Rivers State Police Command, have arrested 17 sea pirates terrorising residents abutting the Egelegele River in Degema Local Government Area.
Men of the Special Protection Unit , SPU; Base 5, Benin were ealier attacked by Sea Pirates early May at Egelegele River in Degema Local Government Area, which necessitated the apprehension of 17 pirates.
According to the Rivers Police Command in a statement signed by its Spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, “in a well coordinated Operation late last night, we arrested one Destiny Ubani, male and 16 others who allegedly carried out the dastardly act, where the men lost their arms and ammunition.”
Omoni said the suspects were currently helping the Police and making useful confessions, while efforts have been intensified to arrest the remnants of the criminal gang, said to be responsible for the attacks on passengers along the Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Waterways.
He stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan was appealing to residents of Asari Toru, Akuku Toru and Degema Local Government Areas and other Coastal Communities to increase their security consciousness and assist the Police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the rampaging Sea Pirates terrorizing them, via the following Security Numbers: 08032003514; 08028915462 and 08182157778.
Mukan assured members of the public of his determination to rid the waterways of all manner of pirate attacks in the State.
Items recovered from the suspects includes, two AK-47 magazines, different charms/amulets, gas cylinder, assorted handsets, N50,000 and two-speed boats used in the attack.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK