Kehinde Fajobi
Suspected pirates hijacked a passenger boat carrying 20 travellers along the Bonny-Okrika waterways in Rivers State on Thursday.
The Bonny Local Government Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, said nine passengers had been rescued, while security forces were searching for the remaining 11.
Claude-Wilcox, in a statement by her media aide, Boma Waribor, blamed the boat driver for taking a prohibited route.
“Security briefing at the disposal of the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area indicates that a passenger boat comprising 20 persons en route to Bonny was intercepted this afternoon by sea pirates around the precincts of Isaka in Okrika Local Government Area,” the statement read.
“However, it should be noted that nine persons have been found and returned to Port Harcourt through the timely intervention of government security operatives who have intensified efforts to rescue the remaining 12 passengers.
“Preliminary findings reveal that the boat driver disobeyed the rules and passed through Kilometer 10, a prohibited channel for commercial boat drivers.
“The relatives of the victims and the public are urged to be calm as the Bonny Local Government Council is collaborating with neighbouring LGAs and security agencies to arrest the situation.”
Meanwhile, the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN), Rivers State chapter, raised concerns over rising pirate attacks.
The Chairman of the MUWN Rivers Commercial District, Isreal Wariboko, lamented the criminals’ evolving tactics.
“Of course, you know these boys. When they know that there is security in this area, they go to another area to operate. They are criminals,” he said.
“The truth is that they are in the mangrove, and they monitor security agencies and individual movements. So they come out when they see that the place is a little bit free.
“Sometimes security can be at the front, and they operate behind. Sometimes when they know that security is there, they go ahead. That is the way they operate. As long as they are in the mangrove, we will continue to see this type of attack once in a while.”
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He called for increased security patrols along the waterways and confirmed that the latest attack had been reported to the police.
“You will recall that after our protest and the donation of gunboats by the Governor, we have not complained about pirate attacks along our sea routes.
“Just recently, they have devised another means. I will go out there and find out what really happened to know whether the boat followed the real route or diverted to another route.
“The marine police are aware of the matter, and I know that they are handling it. As a union, too, we have sent a search party twice today.”