In a shocking act of piracy, hoodlums suspected to be pirates attacked a passenger boat on the waterways between Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, abducting five of its six passengers. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has raised concerns over the increasing insecurity on Nigeria’s waterways.
The boat was traveling from Bille in the Degema Local Government Area to Port Harcourt, the state capital, when the attack took place. According to a source, there were six people on board the boat at the time of the attack, including the boat driver. The pirates abducted five of the passengers, leaving only one woman behind, who was reportedly ill and heading to Port Harcourt for medical attention.
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of the Youths Environmental Advocacy Center (YEAC-Nigeria), shared details of the incident in a statement. He explained that the woman, an elderly person, pleaded with the pirates to let her go because of her age and health condition. In a rare moment of mercy, the pirates released her, allowing her to continue her journey to Port Harcourt with the boat driver. However, they proceeded to take the other five passengers with them and fled to an unknown location.
According to YEAC-Nigeria volunteers who later spoke to the woman and the freed boat driver, the pirates had shown no signs of mercy toward the other passengers. They were swiftly taken onto the pirates’ own boat and taken away, leaving behind only the elderly woman and the boat driver. The boat driver and the woman, who is also a native of Bille Kingdom, are currently safe but remain shaken by the traumatic experience.
Speaking further, Dr. Dumnamene highlighted the growing insecurity on Nigeria’s waterways, pointing out that such attacks had become increasingly common in the region. “This is not the first time we are witnessing such incidents,” he said. “The waterways have become a hotspot for criminals who target innocent people for ransom.”
Isreal People, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, confirmed the attack, identifying the location of the incident as near the Cawthorne Channel in Akuku-Toru LGA. According to People, the six people—including the boat driver—had been abducted since Saturday, and the matter had already been reported to the police. He expressed deep concern over the safety of passengers traveling along these dangerous waterways, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped victims. “We are calling for the safe return of all the victims. Let the waterways be safe for our people to travel freely,” People added.
The Chairman also emphasized the need for increased security measures to ensure that such attacks do not continue, pointing out that the safety of both the locals and travelers was at risk. He urged both the government and security agencies to take stronger action to curb piracy and ensure the safety of the people.
In a statement confirming the incident, Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, assured the public that an investigation was underway. She revealed that the state police had been actively working to rescue the victims and apprehend the pirates responsible for the attack. “Yes, the incident did occur. The Commissioner of Police has mandated the Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Unit, along with his team and the Tactical Team Commander, to ensure that the victims are rescued unharmed and that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are apprehended and brought to justice,” she stated.
The kidnapping of the five passengers highlights the growing threat posed by pirates operating in the Niger Delta region. Piracy has been a persistent problem in Nigeria, particularly along the coastlines and waterways of the southern states, including Rivers. These criminals target boats and vessels, often for ransom, and use the waterways as their escape routes. Attacks on passenger boats, in particular, have become a common occurrence in recent years, with reports of similar incidents surfacing across the country.
In response to these rising security concerns, the Nigerian government has pledged to take stronger measures to combat piracy and ensure the safety of citizens on the waterways. However, many local residents and maritime workers argue that the measures have not been effective enough, and calls for increased security patrols on the water and better coordination among security agencies have become louder.
The Niger Delta, where Rivers State is located, is one of the richest regions in Nigeria, known for its vast oil reserves and crucial shipping routes. Despite this, it remains one of the most dangerous areas in the country due to the prevalence of criminal activities, including oil bunkering, armed robbery, and piracy. The persistent insecurity has not only affected local communities but also international shipping companies that pass through the region.
The issue of piracy and insecurity on the waterways in the Niger Delta has garnered national and international attention in recent years. Many organizations, including international shipping associations and human rights groups, have called for stronger action from both the Nigerian government and global maritime bodies to address the issue.
While authorities continue their efforts to rescue the five kidnapped passengers, the families of the victims are left in limbo, waiting for any news of their loved ones. The incident has also sparked widespread fear and concern among residents and travelers who use the waterways for transportation in the region.
As the investigation into this latest attack continues, there are growing calls for greater protection and vigilance on Nigeria’s waterways. Local leaders, maritime workers, and residents are all calling for a safer environment for both the locals and travelers who rely on these waterways to go about their daily activities.
With the growing insecurity, especially in the Niger Delta, many are questioning whether the government and security agencies can effectively tackle the problem of piracy, and whether enough is being done to ensure the safety of Nigerians traveling on the country’s waterways. The outcome of this latest kidnapping will likely serve as a litmus test for the Nigerian government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens on the water.
For now, the victims remain in captivity, and the search for the pirates continues, as the authorities vow to bring them to justice.
