New A’Ibom police boss pledges hard times for sea pirates

THE new Commissioner of Police (CP) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Muritala Mani, has promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor, especially in the battle against sea pirates.

The new CP said this while addressing journalists at the command headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.

He stressed that the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has made concerted efforts to tackle sea piracy and associated crimes by increasing marine police patrol in affected areas.

“We are on ground and the entire place under surveillance. If you observe, the level of crime before cannot be compared with now. The IG intends to secure all coastal areas from the grip of sea pirates and he is still working on it and by the time he is through, everything about this crime will be brought under control,” he said.

It would be recalled that the new CP was only three days in office when gunmen suspected to be sea pirates invaded Itu in Ibiono Ibom council area of the state. Although no live was lost, it was said that the hoodlums carted away goods and money from Use market, which is close to the sea from where they assessed the area.

The CP has promised to increase security along the waterways linking Itu and Ibiono council areas of Akwa Ibom State with neighbouring Odukpani council area of Cross River State to dislodge sea pirates and miscreants from continuous attack of innocent citizens.

The new police commissioner succeeds Mr. Gabriel Achong, who retired after 35 years of service in the force.