Sea pirates kidnap four fishermen in Akwa Ibom

Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates have kidnapped four fishermen in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The victims comprising three Ghanaians and one Nigerian were said to have been kidnapped on Thursday behind the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka waterways on their way to the sea for fishing expedition. 

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Counsel representing some of the fishermen, Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon, who disclosed this to our correspondent in Uyo Friday, said the pirates attacked four separate boats and carried away their outboard engines in an operation which lasted for several hours.

He said the kidnapers have demanded for N2.5m ransom as condition for their release.

Lamenting that the attack on fishermen by sea pirates was becoming a daily occurrence, Oluwajuwon said some fishermen have stopped going to sea for fear of being kidnapped.

He said, “Last week, more than five boats were attacked and over seven persons were kidnapped; it took the payment of N4 million before they were released.”