By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Rivers State chapter of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have disclosed that suspected pirates have hijacked a passenger boat along the Soku-Abonema waterways in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.
The boat was said to be heading to Soku from Abonema when the incident took place on Wednesday evening, 2 August, 2023.
Though the number of passengers aboard the boat could not be immediately ascertained, it was gathered that the miscreants ferried them into the mangrove, drop them alongside the driver, and sped off with the boat.
The state chairman of MWUN, Isreal Pepple, confirmed the incident on Thursday, 3 August, 2023, adding that the frequent attacks along the waterways were worrisome.
According to Pepple, people were now afraid to travel along the waterways, even as he expressed concerns over the safety of those in the mangrove.
The MWUN boss in the state, who bemoaned the absence of security gunboats and formations in the waterways to check the incessant attacks, stated, “Just to inform you that this evening information reaching our state office is that some sea pirates attacked our boats that were moving from Abonema to Soku.
“They have hijacked the boat and right now passengers are scared to travel from Abonema to Soku and many passengers are stranded at the Abonema jetty.
“As we can confirm right from the one that we have been complaining the marine police doesn’t have any gun boat to operate in that area.
“The whole of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru, has no gunboat to check that area.”
Pepple, therefore, appealed to the state governor, Siminilayi Fubara, and the security agencies to come to the people’s rescue.
“It is very embarrassing that I just spoke with the Officer in Charge of the Marine Police in Rivers State Command.
”He told me that the Marine Police in that area doesn’t have a gunboat that in the entire Rivers State, they have only four gunboats.
“It will be difficult for our people to travel from Abonema to Soku. So that is the situation we are in now.
“Please, you people (media) should help us to make sure that this information gets to our dear Governor to look into the security of our waterways. It is becoming very alarming.
Speaking, the member representing Akuku-Tory Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Lolo Opuende expressed dismay that pirate attacks have lingered in the area.
“The incident that happened in the Soku-Abonema River was very unfortunate.
“Normal boat drivers were conveying building materials to Soku and to go back. It’s very unfortunate they were attacked by pirates. They took their boats and engines.
Considering the cost of engines and boats now, they drop the people (passengers) in the mangrove and went away with the boat,” Opuende said.
The lawmaker queried the surveillance team set up by Nigeria:s former president to tackle insecurity along the waterways.
“The Federal Government created jobs for Tompolo (ex-agitator, High Chief Government Ekpemepulo) a.k.a Tompolo.
