Pirates hold four passengers hostage in Bayelsa 

Pirates are said to have kidnapped four persons travelling from Twon Brass to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital. The abduction, it was learned, occurred along the waterways. Though the identity of the victims could not be immediately ascertained, chairman of Maritime Workers Union, Brass Unit, Comrade Biodomoye Daniel, said the travellers were taken hostage around mid day and appealed for stronger collaboration to secure the waterways. The action of the criminals in Nigeria waterways is further hindering the full development of the Blue economy in Nigeria. Piracy has made the Eastern ports in Nigeria a high risk area making shippers to prefer sending their goods to Lagos port.

He also called on the Brass local government chairman, Mr. Victor Isaiah to release the council refurbished gunboat to assist two others provided by the state government in patrolling the route. Contacted the state police public relations officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said he was yet to be briefed. It will be recalled that sometime in February this year, 13 persons were kidnapped along the -Akassa-Odioma-Nembe-Brass route, a development that led to the suspension of maritime activities by boat drivers.