Pirates attack fishing boat in Bayelsa, cart away Yamaha 40hp engine

Armed men suspected to be sea pirates have reportedly attacked a local fishing boat and made away with the engine along the Okumbiri corridor on the Atlantic fringe of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Though no life was lost during attack, said to have occurred on Saturday night, it was learned that residents of the area who are mainly fisherfolks were jolted by the development. The attack is coming after a relative lull in reported cases of pirates attack in the coastal enclave and waterways of the state. According to a community source, the victim of the attack, identified as Roland, was on fishing expedition when the hoodlums attacked his boat.

“The suspects, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons attacked the victim on Saturday night, dismantled the Yamaha 40 horse power engine mounted on his boat and escaped through the maze of creeks in the area,” the source said. The incident, he noted, has not only instil fear in other fishermen but also left the victim and his family in dilemma as their only means of livelihood has abruptly disrupted. He called on the state and local governments as well as the security agencies to intervene and bring the perpetrators to book so as to serve as deterrent to other criminal elements.

The attack is set to raise concern about the relative peace experienced in the area and the need for improved security measures to be put in place to protect the livelihoods of the people who are mainly fishermen. Also, a concerned resident of the area, Ebi Tari described the attack as a sad reminder of the risk faced riverine commuters and fishermen and called on the relevant authorities to swiftly act to address the situation and ensure the safety of fishermen and other river users in the area. Contacted, Spokesman of the state police command, Musa Mohammed said he was not aware of the development.