Gunmen abduct eight boat passengers in Bayelsa

Gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, have abducted eight passengers in a boat along Brass-Yenagoa waterways in Bayelsa State.

The ill-fated boat carrying about 15 passengers onboard was said to have departed Egweama waterfront in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

A source told the media that eight of the passengers, who were returning from a burial, were abducted and whisked into the creeks, while seven were freed.

RELIABLESOURCENG.COM learnt the gunmen were yet to make contact with the relatives of those abducted as of the time of filing this report.

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“The pirates intercepted the 200 horse power engine boat close to a rice farm and fled off with eight of the 15 passengers,” Daily Trust quoted the Chairman, Maritime Workers Union in Brass Local Government Area, Mr. Daniel Biodoumoye, as saying.

According to Biodoumoye, a combined rescue team of marine police, members of the union and others, rescued the seven lucky passengers who were abandoned by the pirates.

Bayelsa State police spokesman, SP Asinim Butswat, said investigation was ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and arrest the culprits.