Pirates strike again in Bayelsa waterways, kidnap security operative, oil workers
Suspected sea pirates have abducted an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and four contract staff working at the Conoil field in Koluama 1 in Bayelsa.
Our correspondent learnt on Monday that the five victims of the abduction incident were kidnapped while on their way to Koluama 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA).
The four abducted contract staff, employees of a catering contractor to Conoil were seized along with supplies for the personnel at the Conoil location in Koluama 1 from Yenagoa.
A family source to one of the seized oil workers said on Monday that the sea pirates have contacted the family to demand N25 million for their release.
Meanwhile community youths have raised a search party and are making frantic efforts to secure the release of the abducted persons.
Spokesman of the NSCDC in Bayelsa State, Solomon Ogbere, confirmed the development.
“I can confirm that we are in receipt of the report of the kidnap of one of our officers and four civilians. They were kidnapped while heading to their location where they protect Conoil facilities.”
“They were all on mufti while returning to their base when they were attacked. Investigation is ongoing to track down the culprits,” he said.
Less than a week ago suspected pirates attacked and killed an NSCDC official and two oil workers, while seven others were kidnapped at the creek of Nembe local government area of the state.
The state government had earlier imposed a curfew on the waterways and also banned the use of speed boats with 200 Horse Power Engines on all waterways in the state.
Efforts to speak with the spokesman for Conoil, Mr Abiodun Azeez, was not successful as he neither answered calls nor replied to the text message sent to his mobile phone.
