At least 19 individuals have reportedly been kidnapped following a coordinated pirate attack on boats along the Isaka River in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, targeted boats headed to Bonny Island and the Cawthorne Channel in Bille, Degema Local Government Area.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said on Wednesday that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend those behind the assault.
“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,” Iringe-Koko stated.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Commercial District, Isreal Pepple, provided further insight, disclosing that a total of 19 people were taken, and that the attackers also made away with 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 explained.
Expressing concern over the rising frequency of such incidents, Pepple revealed that the union may soon suspend operations to prompt decisive government 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,” he said.
“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 further called on the State Sole Administrator and relevant security bodies to act swiftly to improve safety on the state’s waterways. Pepple also criticized the inadequate use of military equipment provided for waterway patrols.
“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,” he added.
