Suspected pirates kidnap 8 in Bayelsa

Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates have attacked and abducted 8 passengers traveling along the Brass-Yenagoa waterways in Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the speedboat conveying about 15 passengers was said to have departed Egweama waterfront in Brass Local Government Area of the state before it was attacked.

The victims, who were said to be returning from a burial were ambushed by their attackers in the middle of the sea, who whisked away 8 of the passengers.

Confirming the incident, the chairman of Maritime Workers Union in Brass Local Government Area, Mr. Daniel Biodoumoye said, “The pirates intercepted the 200 horsepower engine boat close to a rice farm and fled off with eight of the 15 passengers.”

However, he said a combined rescue team of the marine police, members of the union, and others rescued the seven lucky passengers who were abandoned by the attackers

Meanwhile, the state police spokesman, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the attack, said an investigation was ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and arrest the perpetrators.