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The Rivers State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected pirates who attacked passenger boats and abducted no fewer than 13 individuals.
The incident took place along the Isaka River in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday afternoon.
According to reports, one of the targeted boats was headed to Bonny Island, while the other was en route to the Cawthorne Channel in Bille, located in Degema Local Government Area.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the attack and assured the public of an ongoing investigation:
“What we heard was that 13 passengers were abducted. But investigation is ongoing to rescue them and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to book.”
Providing more details, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (Rivers State Chapter), Isreal Pepple, revealed that the pirates also looted goods and valuables worth millions of naira.
“With the information we gathered, it was 13 persons, including the driver. The other boat was going to Bonny with goods; six people were kidnapped from that boat. So, six plus 13 makes 19.”
Pepple expressed deep concern over the rising frequency of such attacks and disclosed that the union is considering halting operations to pressure the government into taking action.
“Like we said last time, we will have no option because the thing is becoming a routine action, such that as they release one, they come back and kidnap again.
So it is more or less a business for them. So, I think that the Union will go into a meeting and whatever our decision is, we will implement it.
We will not be far from downing our tools to attract the government to take action. You can imagine that just within 2 pm and 6 pm, three boats were attacked, 19 persons were kidnapped, and goods and property were hijacked.”
Pepple also called on the State Sole Administrator and relevant security agencies to act swiftly and improve safety on the waterways.
He criticized what he described as the poor utilization of military resources meant for marine security:
“The irony of it all is that there are gunboats, but no fuel to operate them. The gunboats are there close to this office, but no logistics are provided for them.
So we are also calling on the Sole Administrator to try and do something because it is getting out of hand,” Pepple added.
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