The suspected pirates have kidnapped at least five passengers along the Harcourt Port waterway in River State, taking them to an unknown destination.
The Center for Young People and Environmental Advocacy (Yeac-Nigeria) confirmed the incident to journalists, saying the attack took place over the weekend and was reported in a report by a network of one million youth volunteers human rights defenders and sponsors in the Bill Community area.
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, executive director of Yeac, said the victims were sailing from Harcourt to Bille Kingdom in the Degema local government area at the time of the attack. The pirates reportedly armed and operated a speedboat equipped with a 200 hp engine, intercepted the passenger ship and kidnapped five people.
“As of Monday morning, the whereabouts of the abducted passengers remained unknown when the incident was reported to our center,” Dr. Fyneface said.
The group called on the Rivers State Police Department and other relevant security agencies to act quickly to ensure the safe release of the abducted passengers. It also urged the sole State Administrator, Deputy Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (RTD), to give priority to the safety and protection of life and property along the waterway.
Rivers State Police spokesman SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident to Lib.
“Yes, the incident did happen. The Police Commissioner has authorized the head of the Marine Corps and his team and tactical team commanders to ensure that the victims are not harmed and that such heinous offenders are arrested and brought to justice. ”
