Three Ghanaians and a Nigerian man have been kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen in Akwa Ibom State.
Reports reaching Naija News revealed that the fishermen were whisked away from a location very close to the Nigerian Navy FOB Base in Ibaka waterways.
They were reportedly on their way to the sea for a fishing expedition when the assailants ambushed and took them away to an unknown location.
Naija News understands that the abductors were suspected to be sea pirates.
A lawyer representing some of the fishermen, Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon, who disclosed the incident to newsmen in Uyo on Friday, said that the criminals attacked four separate boats of the fishermen on Thursday in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He explained further that the assailants went away with their outboard engines in an operation that lasted for several hours.
According to him, the kidnappers have demanded N2.5m ransom as a condition for the victims’ release.
Oluwajuwon 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 they operated for hours.
“They attacked four separate boats, stole their outboard engines and kidnapped four persons, among whom were three Ghanaians and one Nigerian who are currently in their custody.
“The kidnappers are demanding N2.5m before they can be released.”
Lamenting attacks on fishermen in the community, Oluwajuwon, said that some fishermen had stopped going to sea for fear of being kidnapped.
He added: “Last week, more than five boats were attacked and over seven persons were kidnapped. It took the payment of N4m 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 the 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,” he added.
OOlajuwonclaimed that the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit in the state was aware of the development and that the community had also written to the DSS about the situation.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, when contacted for comment, said that information relating to the four persons’ kidnap had not reached him.
“I don’t have any such information yet,” Macdon stated.
This article was originally published on Naija News