Group Raises Alarm Over Rise in Pirate Attacks, Kidnappings on Bonny Waterway
A group, the Concerned Citizens of Bonny, has sounded the alarm over the rising wave of pirate attacks and kidnappings along the Bonny waterway in Rivers State.
The group also reported that five individuals were abducted on August 21, followed by another four speed-boat passengers on August 24, 2024.
President of the group, Amasenibo Stephen Hart, in an interview with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, on Monday, expressed serious concerns about the safety of travelers on the Bonny sea route due to the increasing incidents of pirate activities.
“We, the concerned citizens of Bonny, are worried and terrified about the ongoing abduction of travelers by sea pirates along the Bonny waterway.
“In the past few months, more than fifteen people have been kidnapped, with some victims already released and others still in captivity awaiting ransom payment for their release”.
Hart criticized the Nigeria Navy for failing to provide sufficient protection for travelers and called for stronger security measures, especially around the Onne axis of the river.
He called for a thorough investigation into certain boat drivers who are suspected of collaborating with sea pirates in targeting passengers.
The group strongly condemned the actions of the pirates and urged security agencies to take decisive action to safeguard the lives and property of travelers.
“As a group, we strongly condemn the act and believe that the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy, have not done enough to protect the lives and property of travelers, which is their duty.
“We also want to use this platform to call on the security agencies to investigate certain boat riders who are suspected of collaborating with sea pirates to cause chaos on the waterway”, he said.
Despite several attempts to reach out, on Monday, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, had not responded to phone calls about the incidents, as of the time of filing this report.
