A brazen attack in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State has left families in agony and communities in turmoil.
The captors of 13 passengers, including eight students en route to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), were abducted by pirates along the Port Harcourt-Bille waterways on May 6, 2025.
They are still missing and demanding a N100 million ransom for their release.
The abductors hijacked two passenger boats during the incident, seizing all onboard, including the WASSCE-bound students.
Dr. Osaki Miller, an indigene of Bille Kingdom and the immediate past Youth President of the community, confirmed that the abductors contacted the victims’ families and demanded a ransom of N100 million.
The whereabouts of the victims remain unknown, and the ransom demand has added to the families’ distress.
There is grave concern over the safety and health conditions of the abductees, particularly the students, and the psychological toll the ordeal is taking on their families.
The young students were simply on their way to write their exams. Their parents are traumatised, and no family in the community can raise such an outrageous amount.
The urgency of the situation requires fast action by the authorities.
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Dr. Miller urged the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to take decisive action to ensure the safe release of the captives.
Complaints have been lodged with various quarters, including security agencies and the government, and a protest was staged to alert the authorities.
However, no response has been heard so far.
The former Chairman of Bille Community, Mr. Fibite Bibi, confirmed that one of the victims, a uniformed security personnel, was released by the kidnappers last Friday.
It is unclear whether ransom was paid for the release.
The kidnappers are currently demanding N100 million for the students and Bille residents abducted.
The community cannot afford such a sum. The security agencies are called upon to rescue these people, as nobody has that kind of money to pay. The victims must be released, and the security agencies should take necessary action.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that security efforts have been ramped up to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The police are working in collaboration with other security agencies to address the situation.