Sea pirates attack fishermen in Akwa Ibom riverine communities, demand ransom for seized outboard engines

There is palpable fear in Oron and Mbo Local Government Areas as well as some adjoining areas of Akwa Ibom State as activities of sea pirates skyrocketed in the region.

Their activities including killings, kidnapping, rape, theft of goods, seizure of boats and destruction of naval installations have continued unabated even as fishing business in the areas becomes affected.

Transportation on the Oron-Calabar waterway is also affected as boat operators and commuters fear for their lives.

In the past 72 hours alone, the pirates have seized a combined total of 9 outboard engines mounted on fishing and passenger boats.

They met no resistance from naval operatives when they stormed the fishing community of Ibaka in Mbo, shooting sporadically to scare fishermen and other people in the locality.

The location were the engines were seized is close to the Naval base at Ibaka.

In Oron, same happened as suspected pirates met no resistance from naval officers.

The mobile phone number 09044371457 was left behind by the assailants for communication with owners of the seized engines. Each engine is said to be worth up between 6 million Naira to 8.5 Million Naira while a fairly used one goes for about 3 Million Naira depending on the horsepower rating.

The pirates usually accept ransom for seized engines but not in all cases as they sometimes sell the engines in other states in Nigeria, or in neighbouring countries.

Virtually all parts of Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring states depends on sea food from the Oro axis of the state.

The business is quite a booming one, with Ibaka being one of the most visited fish markets in Nigeria.

A visit to Ibaka revealed that some open stalls at the beach was deserted. Only few of the traders were seen displaying their wares which included fish, crayfish and other goods at stalls along the Oron beach road.

A boat operator at Ibaka, Bassey Effiong lamented that activities of the pirates have heightened despite the presence of naval officers.

“As you heard, Ibaka is not safe for us fishermen and people who come here for business. Sometimes we give the navy people some money for their upkeep but they cannot defend us. Even the pirates, some of us pay them to allow us donour work, but they always come back to kill and sometimes take away our engines. I want government to look into this and bring a permanent solution to this problem,” Effiong narrated.

A fish and crayfish trader, Mrs Utibe Matthew, who said she came in from Uyo to purchase goods at Ibaka was equally disappointed by the development.

“I am disappointed because the quantity of crayfish and fish that is available is below what I expected. I have a stall at Akpan Andem market in Uyo, and demand is very high. Insecurity should be addressed in order for full fledged economic activities to resume,” she stated in Ibibio vernacular.

A community elder who did not his name mentioned said the spate of attacks has lasted over 10 years.

He accused naval officers and marine police of always running away or not being interested in confronting the pirates.

The naval authority in Akwa Ibom State could not be reached for comment on the matter.

Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon neither pick his calls nor reply text messages seeking an update on the matter.

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