Gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, have attacked a speedboat conveying 15 passengers and abducted eight of them in Bayelsa State.
It was gathered a combined rescue team of marine police, community leaders and concerned persons rescued seven of the 15 passengers who were abandoned by the armed pirates.
The passengers were said to have departed Egwe-ama in Brass Local Government Area of the state where they attended a burial over the weekend.
The suspected pirates reportedly intercepted their 200 horse power engine boat close to a rice farm and fled off with eight of the passengers to an unknown destination.
The Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Brass LGA chapter, Mr. Daniel Biodoumoye, confirmed the attack on the Yenagoa-bound passenger speedboat by the suspected sea pirates.
According to Biodoumoye, a combined rescue team of marine police, union leadership, and others rescued the seven passengers who were abandoned by the pirates.
The Regent of Egwe Ibe, Chief Timipre Saka-Yabi, has condemned the kidnap and called for the unconditional release of his subjects.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Asinim Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the kidnap but said seven persons were abducted.
“The passenger boat was attacked on Monday, June 13, 2022 and seven passengers were reportedly abducted. We have commenced investigation into the incident,” Butswat stated.
