Kidnappers suspected to be pirates have abducted a 64-year-old chief and three others from the coastal area of Nembe, Brass and Akassa in Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the pirates terrorize the people of these areas and their activities has forced maritime workers to desert the area, leaving commuters stranded.
Speaking on the incident, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Union, Ogoniba Ibingansi, noted that the waterways were no longer safe and all boats operating along Odioma, Akassa, Brass and Nembe are no longer loading passengers.
Ibingansi added that security agencies as well as the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Bayelsa State Government are battling to counter the pirates.
A source, who asked to be anonymous, told newsmen that, “Pirates have been operating along the waters since last Sunday. It is funny. They attacked some boats and robbed all the passengers, Monday evening.
“They abducted three persons, attacked another boat and kidnapped four. They used the earlier seized boat to release the first three persons.”
