Thirteen individuals were reportedly kidnapped by suspected pirates during an attack on boats, and the Rivers State Police have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The attack took place along the Isaka River in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Reports indicate that one of the boats was heading to Bonny Island, while the other was en route to the Cawthorne Channel in Bille, located in Degema Local Government Area, when the attack happened on Tuesday afternoon.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the abduction on Wednesday and assured the public that an investigation is currently ongoing.
She stated, “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.”
Isreal Pepple, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Port Harcourt Commercial District, provided additional details, revealing that the pirates also looted goods and valuables worth millions of naira.
He said, “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.”
He mentioned that the union is considering halting operations to pressure the government into taking action, emphasizing that such attacks are becoming increasingly frequent.
“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.”
He urged the State Sole Administrator and security agencies to intervene and enhance security along the waterways in the state.
Pepple expressed concern over what he referred to as the underutilization of the military gunboats donated by the Rivers State government to safeguard the waterways.
“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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