The Marine component of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested two more suspects in connection with the sea robbery incident along Bonny River in Rivers State on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Kristina Reports learnt that the two suspects were arrested by the Marine Police on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Owupiri fishing settlement adjacent to Oloma Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State in connection to Monday’s incident.

A 15 horsepower outboard engine was also recovered from the suspects who led security operatives to their hideout where they hid the engine after they stole it from the boat it was attached to adjacent to a flow station near Oloma.   

The four suspects have been identified as Thomas Anderson of Egendem Community, Friday Awaji-Telenyem and Timothy King Onekirije of Unyeada Community, all of Andoni LGA, and Charles Daniel Green of Greens Iwoama in Bonny LGA.

A source in the Police told Kristina Reports said they would be prosecuted for attempted kidnap, attempted drowning of a sailor, assault on and attempted murder of a mariner, sea robbery, and stealing of an outboard engine, among other charges.

Anderson and Awaji-Telenyem were nabbed by the Police while attempting to kidnap a boat pilot they had chartered to ferry them to a fishing settlement only to demand that he makes a detour mid-sea.

When he refused, they assaulted him and almost drowned him but he took the sail off their wind by jumping into the river and swam away to safety. All the while they were oblivious of the Marine that was in hot pursuit after receiving intelligence report of their activities.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, told Kristina Reports that the gallant operatives of the Marine Police apprehended them and took them to Bonny.

Information later got to the Police on the alleged stealing of an outboard engine belonging to Pastor of Throne of Grace Area Headquarter of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Nicholas Monday after forcefully detaching it from his boat close to Oloma flowstation.  

All four suspected sea robbers are now in detention assisting in the investigation of the incident with a view to fish out all other associated elements within their circle and ensure all culprits are made to face the full weight of the law through prosecution.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman commended the gallant efforts of the Marine Police operatives, urging residents and visitors to Bonny to go about their legitimate endeavours with the confidence.

A statement by her Press Secretary, Boma Waribor stated that the Bonny LGA boss assured that her administration is working with the various security agencies to ensure that “the LGA continues to enjoy the reign of peace, security, stability and progress as has been the case”.

Also reacting to the development, Pastor Monday applauded the efforts of the Police in apprehending the suspects and recovering his outboard engine, urging the authorities to provide the Police with better gadgets to optimize their work in crime prevention and prosecution of criminals.

In separate chats with Kristina Reports, the suspects feigned ignorance of the allegations against them but later admitted that they actually stole the engine, explaining that they sought the help of boat pilot to take them to the fishing settlement but disagreement ensued along the way.

On his part, Timothy King said he a was a surveillance worker in the area and saw them other three suspects with the engine but did not know where they brought it from, adding that he actually assisted the Police in retrieving the engine from where it was hid by the other three suspects.