Unidentified gunmen suspected to be sea pirates on Wednesday, August 26, attacked two passenger boats and kidnapped three persons along the Ogbia / Brass waterways in Bayelsa.
Police Spokesman for Bayelsa Command, Asinim Butswat confirmed the development but said that details were still sketchy. “I am waiting for details,” Butwat said.
It was learnt that the abducted victims were two Okpoama community chiefs, identified as Chief Blessing Wagio and Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo as well as a security man whose identity could not be ascertained.
The victims’ boats reportedly left the Ogbia water front at about 2pm on Wednesday for Brass, when they came under attack around Kiberibio area of the Ogbia-Brass waterway.
A staff of the state Ministry of Education heading to Brass, a naval officer and a former Chief Librarian at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Chief Jigekuma Ombu-Kieri, escaped the attack unhurt.
An eyewitness in one of the boats, Mrs. Kilete Arum, claimed that she saw an unidentified man lying face down in the pirates’ speed boat when they were being dispossessed of their valuables.
By Pita Ochai
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