October 01, (THEWILL) – Gunmen attacked and abducted four fishermen in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom state on Thursday.
The victims, three Ghanaians and one Nigerian, were kidnapped behind the Nigerian Navy FOB Base in Ibaka waterways on their way to the sea for a fishing expedition.
A lawyer representing some of the fishermen, Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon told THEWILL in Uyo on Friday that the hoodlums attacked four separate boats and carted away their outboard engines in an operation that lasted several hours.
According to him, the kidnappers have demanded N2.5m ransom as a condition for their release.
He said, “On Tuesday 28th September 2021 in the morning fishermen from Ibaka going to sea for fishing were attacked by Sea Pirates just behind the Nigerian Navy FOB base in Ibaka waterways and operated for hours.
“They attacked Four separate boats and carted away their Outboard Engines and Kidnapped 4 persons amongst them are 3 Ghanaian and 1 Nigerian who are currently in their custody.The kidnappers are demanding for the sum of 2.5m before they can be released.”
Oluwajuwon said that some fishermen have stopped going to aea for fear of being kidnapped.
“Last week, more than 5 boats were attacked and over 7 persons were kidnapped. It took the payment of 4m before they were released.
“The activities of these sea pirates have crippled the Ibaka Fishing Community and its environs as fishermen could not go for fishing due to fear of being attacked.
“In Ibeno last week, more than 10 outboard engines were seized by the sea pirates. The Akwa Ibom waterways are no longer safe again,” he lamented.
Oluwajuwon claimed that the police anti -kidnapping unit is aware of the development, adding that they have also written to the Department of State Services (DSS).
However, when the state police command’s public relations officer, Odiko Macdon, was contacted for comments, he does not have such information on his table.
“I don’t have any such information yet,” Macdon simply stated.
