By INIOBONG EKPONTA, Uyo

Armed gunmen suspected to be Sea pirates have reportedly launched fierce attacks on Akwa Ibom territorial waters, abducting four fishermen including three Ghanaians in Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt the victims were seized just behind the Nigerian Navy Foward Operation Base (FOB) in Ibaka waterways overlooking the Gulf of Guinea.

A lawyer representing some of the fishermen, Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon who disclosed this to Newsmen in Uyo on Friday said the hoodlums attacked four separate boats and carted away their outboard engines in an operation which lasted for several hours.

According to him, the kidnappers have demanded N2.5million ramson 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 who lamented that the attack on fishermen by sea pirates is becoming a daily occurrence said that some fishermen have stopped going to Sea 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 kidnapped unit is aware of development adding that they have also written to the DSS on the matter.

However, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon when contacted for comments said he does not have such information on his table.

“I don’t have any such information yet,” Macdon simply stated. (Text, excluding headline, courtesy Nigerian Tribune)