Heavily armed gun weirding men suspected to be sea pirates have abducted eight passengers travelling on Kula-Abonnema-Port Harcourt waterways.
Trouble started on Tuesday July 20th 2021, when the passengers, including a woman were travelling from Kula in Akuku-Toro local government area of Rivers State.
The State Chairman of the Rivers State branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Jonah Jumbo said five of its members were among the abducted.
He said they were travelling from Kula in Akuku-Toro local government area of the State on the Kula-Abonnema-Port waterways to attend official meeting in Port Harcourt.
Jumbo said: “The Kula unit and the Abonnema Unit of our union were invited for a meeting in Port Harcourt..But we got reports that as they were sailing from Kula, they were intercepted by armed men and were kidnapped.
“Five of them are our members, in addition to three others among whom was a woman. We sincerely appeal to members of the public, security agencies and the government to do everything possible to free the victims unconstitutionally”, Jumbo said.
Meanwhile, a soldier has been killed in Tuomo community, Burutu local government area of Delta State, following a clash between military men and suspected pirates.
A community source said the soldier and two of the pirates were killed in the clash.
It was gathered that the suspects, who came on a speedboat, planned to loot an armoury at the military checkpoint in the area.
The pirates were said to have opened fire on the soldiers who swiftly returned fire.
“A soldier and two members of the gang were killed, while a fleeing pirate was arrested. Few days ago, there were reports of a similar incident in Egbema kingdom, Warri North council area of the state.
An uncertain number of soldiers and about four members of the Egbema Peace Corps were allegedly killed by suspected pirates led by an unidentified ex-militant.
An aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on political matters, Austin Ozobo, who hails from the area, confirmed the attack.
“Yes, you know Tuomo has a military checkpoint. Some sea bandits came on a 150 Horsepower speedboat at 10:30p.m and attacked the military men,” he said.
