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10 Maritime Workers Kidnapped by Pirates Along Bonny-Port Harcourt Route

Japhet Hasruna
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At least 10 maritime workers are feared to have been abducted by sea pirates while traveling along the Bonny-Port Harcourt waterway early Monday morning. Details of the incident are still emerging, but Naija News reports that the victims were traveling between Bonny and Port Harcourt when they were seized.

The district Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Rivers State, Israel Waribo Pepple, confirmed the abduction via telephone, stating, “It’s not a rumor, it is real. 10 persons have been kidnapped this morning coming from Bonny to Port Harcourt. We’ve reported to the security agencies.”

The Police Public Relations Officer has confirmed awareness of the kidnapping. Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olugbenga Adepoju, and the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the area to expedite efforts for the safe rescue of the victims.

Rivers State Government Commits to Addressing Sea Piracy and Contract Mismanagement

In response to the recent spate of sea piracy, the Rivers State government has pledged to enhance security along the state’s waterways. This commitment follows a surge in attacks that have resulted in both abductions and fatalities among boat travelers.

Chairman of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Rivers Commercial District, Israel Waribo Pepple, highlighted the increasing frequency of piracy attacks on waterways, including the once-secure Bonny-Port Harcourt route. These attacks have instilled significant fear among travelers, with pirates often resorting to hostage-taking, theft, and violence.

Pepple criticized the security agencies for their perceived inadequate protection of the public, arguing that their focus tends to be on multinational oil companies rather than addressing the broader security needs of maritime workers and travelers.

Governor Sim Fubara has condemned the attacks and assured that his administration will intensify efforts to improve security. Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, George Nwaeke, the governor commended the union for reporting the criminal activities and emphasized the importance of community cooperation in effective policing.

Governor Fubara called on the public to report any suspicious activities and individuals, expressing confidence that with improved information and community involvement, Rivers State can become a safer place for residents and visitors alike.

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The Ogun State Police Command on Monday clarified that Mr Akinsanya Aremu, father of the slain 17-year-old secondary school student in the state, Habeebah Akinsanya, paid ₦30,000 to her kidnappers and not ₦1 million as reported. Aremu, a senior officer with So-Safe Corps, was said to have paid the money into a Moniepoint account provided by the kidnappers to facilitate the tracking and arrest of those responsible for the kidnapping of his daughter. The police revealed that the teenage girl was discovered to have been raped by her abductors before being macheted to death. Her corpse was later found on Sunday at her father’s farm near Mile 6, a community a few metres from Ogun State Television, Abeokuta. The law enforcement agency has also pointed an accusing finger at one of the farm workers employed by the father of the victim. Residents of the community allegedly claimed they last saw the farm worker with the late Habeebah while entering the farm where her body was eventually found. Health 360: Food Safety0:00 / 1:01 The Divisional Police Officer of Kemta Division, Abeokuta, CSP Olawale Famobuwa, disclosed this after receiving express approval from the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, to speak on the incident. Famobuwa said, “The father of the deceased reported to the police station on Friday at about 9:30 pm that his daughter, Habeebah, who was helping her sister with the Point of Sale business, had not been found. “He said that the sister had travelled and asked Habeebah to stand in for her, but someone invited her (the deceased) for a transaction, and she had been missing since then. It was recorded as a case of a missing person. “He later returned on Saturday and said that some people had contacted the sister who owned the PoS business and were demanding money, so he sent ₦30,000 into the Moniepoint account, which we hope to use to track the receiver and arrest those behind the criminal act. Related News Okpebholo promises steady power supply PSC promotes FCT, Lagos CPs, others Police hunt abductors of Abuja four family members “So, what was paid was ₦30,000 and not ₦1 million. I have the receipt, and this was done to help facilitate the tracking of those responsible for the criminal act. “We actually traced the transaction to somewhere in the Oke Egunya community, which is under Ibara Division, Abeokuta. We were there until 1 am early Sunday morning before we took a break and resumed the tracking later. “We were later informed on Sunday that the corpse of the young girl had been found at her father’s farm in Mile 6, and when we arrived, we discovered that the girl had been raped before she was killed.” Famobuwa further explained that a resident of the community allegedly saw a farm worker employed by the father of the victim entering the bush with the deceased but did not return with her. When challenged, the farm worker claimed that the girl was still busy on the farm and would join him later. The police also reported that a 15-year-old boy allegedly explained how he saw this farm worker with firewood on his head, running suspiciously as if attempting to flee from a crime scene. Famobuwa expressed regret that the father of the deceased, a senior officer in the So-Safe security agency established by the state government, had been provided with vital information by the residents of the community but failed to pass it on to the police. He stated that the farm worker, who is reported to have fled, is a prime suspect, but the police will do everything within the law to ensure that all the assailants involved in the criminal acts are brought to justice. Habeebah, a student of Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, was set to enter SS3 when the new school session begins on 16th September and would have turned 17 in October.

byJaphet Hasruna