The Base Operation Officer, Forward Operating Base, Nigerian Navy, Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Lt. Commander Samuel Olowookere, on Wednesday, dismissed a report that over 700 pirates invaded Ibaka fishing community.
The report also stated that five fishermen were kidnapped while nine boats were siezed during the operation, also fishermen bribed naval officers for protection at the sea and got nothing in return.
Speaking during a meeting with officials of the Fishermen Association, Ibaka chapter, Olowookere, said none of the issues raised in the report was true.
“I will just quickly point out key points. First, is the issue of over 700 sea pirates invading Ibaka. I am not sure the Base will be functioning by now. If over 700 pirates invaded Ibaka, by now, maybe I would have been dead, because they would have over-run everything living thing within this area.
“Also, the comment on the kidnap of five victims, to the best of our knowledge and the engagement of the stakeholders, nothing of such happened on the day mentioned as well as even the carting away of nine engine boats. They have confirmed to us that nothing happened and you can corroborate from them that nothing of such happened.”
Addressing the bribery allegation, the Base Operation Officer said, “No fisherman during the period of our stay here or prior to our stay here, paid the Nigerian Navy.
“They have had occasions where their boats capsized at sea, where the Base has been prompt in providing them assistance at no cost. In fact, of recent, there was one that we did less than five months ago, where one of their boats had issues.
“They promised to give the Base three drums of fuel which we vehemently rejected. We don’t collect money for work. We are here to protect fishermen and other legitimate users of water. So, our responsibility is to protect the fishermen and other persons that use the waters as a means of transportation or as a mean of economic activity.”
Also refuting the report, spokesperson of the fishermen’s association, Mr. Ogunbiyi Johnbull, said the report that pirates invaded Ibaka beach was false, adding that they were shocked at the report.
He said they had cordial relationship with the Navy all these years adding that when there were issues, they called on them to come to their rescue.
“When we heard the information about 700 sea pirates invading Ibaka beach, carting away boat engines worth N6 million, we were shocked. If such incident happens, there is no way that it will not affect some of us here, we don’t hear such information in the beach except on the pages of newspapers. The story is false.
“We are not disputing the fact that there are militants in the high sea, but no militant invaded Ibaka beach,” he said.
