Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in collaboration with marine hunters, have arrested a suspected militant, Samuel Geofrey, who allegedly specialises in sea piracy and kidnapping in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The command has also launched a manhunt for a traditional ruler (name withheld) believed to be Geofrey’s collaborator and reportedly in possession of operational tools used by the militant.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

Azare said the suspect was arrested on November 3, 2025, at about 11:45 am, while the traditional ruler fled when operatives stormed his residence.

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He explained that a search of the monarch’s makeshift residence led to the recovery of several items allegedly used for sea piracy operations.

Recovered items included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; and three generators, among others.

According to the CP, “On November 3, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the command, in collaboration with marine hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey, aged 27, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

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“Operatives immediately stormed the village, but the Village Head fled upon sighting the team. A search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.”

Items recovered included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; three generators; three brand-new toilet seats; two brand-new toilet sinks; one sewing machine; and a bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip.

Azare noted that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court, adding that efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing traditional ruler.

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He further disclosed that during the same period, the command arrested two suspects after raiding an illegal gun manufacturing factory in Ekriti Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area.

According to him, “Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on October 24, 2025, raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekriti Itam Village, Itu LGA, arresting Aniekan Aniedi (39) and Ubong Udofia (35).

“Exhibits recovered include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipe, two iron rods, copper wire, two flat metal plates (gun butts), one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, and one electric filing machine.”

Authorities in Rivers State have shut down the popular Obio/Akpor International Market, also known as Amaechi Market, following the killing of a trader identified simply as Ejike, allegedly by a group of meat sellers during a quarrel over N500.

The incident occurred around 11am on Sunday, along SARS Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, when over 20 attackers reportedly stabbed Ejike multiple times with daggers.

Eyewitnesses said another man who attempted to rescue the victim was also stabbed in the ribs and is now in critical condition in the hospital.

Outraged by the killing, female traders on Monday staged a protest at the Obio/Akpor Council headquarters, demanding the relocation of the alleged violent group while expressing fear over rising insecurity in the market.

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One of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity for fear of victimisation, claimed that aside from the deceased, another person went into a coma.

“One man is dead, and the person who tried to rescue him is in a coma. More than 20 of them chased him over N500 and stabbed him to death. We want peace. They should leave our market,” a protesting woman said.

Another trader, who declined to be named, accused the attackers of being behind criminal activities in the market.

She lamented, “They break into our shops, steal goods, and even sell drugs behind the market.

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“We don’t feel safe anymore. The government should help us.”

The Market Chairman, C.P. Oburu, confirmed the incident, saying Ejike was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

“When I got the call while in church, I rushed to the scene. The doctor confirmed him dead. We took his body to the mortuary and reported to the police,” he said.

Oburu added that the market has been sealed by the council authorities and police, pending further investigation.

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“The local government chairman has intervened. Security agencies have made some arrests, and the market will remain closed until further notice,” he said.

Confirming the incident, state Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said one person was killed by yet-to-be-identified attackers.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical units to cordon off the market and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Investigation is ongoing,” she stated.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has opened an investigation into the disappearance of a 24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Levi Anyanwu, who has been missing since October 8, 2025.

Anyanwu, serving with the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, was last seen by acquaintances before his sudden disappearance.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Musa Mohammed, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit had been directed to take charge of the investigation.

According to the statement, the missing corps member was last reported to be in the company of fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mr and Mrs Wisdom George, who stated that he had left their home after spending some time with them.

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“The George family disclosed that the corps member had complained of illness and was taken to Kaiama Referral Hospital on October 4, 2025, where he was treated and discharged the next day. On October 6, he was said to have left for an unknown destination and has not been seen since,” the police said.

Detectives also questioned Anyanwu’s roommate, Mr. Oke Emmanuel, who corroborated parts of the account, confirming that his colleague had been staying with the George family before his disappearance.

The police further revealed that two inmates at the Igbara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, allegedly extorted ₦100,000 from the missing man’s father after contacting him under the guise of kidnappers.

“The sum was transferred to an Opay account belonging to one Atinuke Oluwalose, identified as a collaborator of the detained inmate. The inmates admitted to obtaining the family’s contact from social media,” the statement added.

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Investigators are exploring multiple leads, including personal factors that may have influenced the missing corps member’s actions.

“There is no evidence of kidnapping in this case. Detectives are working to establish a conclusive understanding of the circumstances. The findings so far are revealing,” the police stated.

The command urged the public to provide any credible information that could assist in locating the missing corps member.

In a related development, a 19-year-old woman from Gombe State, Aisha Ibrahim, has gone missing in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.

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24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Levi Anyanwu, who has been missing since October 8, 2025.
24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Levi Anyanwu, who has been missing since October 8, 2025.
According to her brother-in-law, Shehu Muhammed Danladi, Aisha, a nursing student at Glorious Amazing Grace and Maternity Hospital, Ikot Ekpo, 8 Miles Junction, Calabar, was last seen on October 30, 2025, while heading to work.

A resident of Nasarawa, a Hausa settlement in Calabar, Aisha has been untraceable since that day.

“Since that day, we have not heard from her again. We are growing increasingly worried over her whereabouts,” Danladi said, appealing to the public for assistance.