Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — No fewer than eight water travellers have been abducted by suspected sea pirates along the Kula-Abonnema waterways, in Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State.
The Rivers State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Jonah Jumbo, who raised the alarm, said over eight passengers were kidnapped since on Monday, while travelling to Port Harcourt from Kula.
Jumbo said five of the kidnapped victims are members of MWUN in Kula, Akuku-Toru LGA, who were on their way to Port Harcourt for a meeting before gunmen suspected to be sea pirates hijacked the passenger boat conveying them.
He lamented that nothing has been heard from the kidnappers or the victims, since they were abducted on Monday.
“The Kula unit and Abonnema unit of Maritime Workers Union were asked to come for a meeting in the state office here in Port Harcourt.
“On their way from Kula, we got a report that the officials who were coming for the meeting were kidnapped.
“All the passengers were kidnapped, including three others in the boat. Up till now, nobody has heard anything from the kidnappers.
“So, we are appealing to the general public, the government and security agencies to really help us and see how they can reach the kidnappers.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of travellers by suspected sea pirates.
Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, SP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirm the situation, said he was awaiting a detailed report from the officer in charge of marine operations in the state.
