Suspected sea pirates injure fishermen, seize over 10 outboard engines

Ini Billie, Uyo

Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates have attacked fishing community in Akwa Ibom State, wounding and snatching outboard engines from fishermen at sea.

The sea pirates were said to have seized the 40 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines at gunpoint on Saturday morning in the Itanwa area of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.

Our correspondent gathered that the sea pirates stormed the high sea in a speed boat equipped with two 200 horsepower outboard engines, which overran their victims mere 40 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity with our correspondent on Sunday, added: “More than 10 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines were snatched at gunpoint from the fishermen in the Itanwa area of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area on Saturday.

“Some fishermen were brutalised while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The assailants came in a speed boat with double 200 horsepower outboard engines.”

The recurrent, unwarranted attacks and abduction of some fishermen in the past one year, led the fishermen under the auspices of Watchout Cooperative Society Ibaka, to recently stage a protest, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to secure the waterways.

The fishermen briefly enjoyed a respite last week Saturday after a joint operation by the Nigeria Navy and the Police attached to Mbo LGA in Ibaka caught two suspects and recovered four outboard engines and many firearms hidden underground.

When the Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon was contacted on the matter, he said the command has yet to be informed about the incident in Ikot Abasi but noted that he would find out what really happened.

“I am not aware of that information yet, but I will investigate,” he said.