Again pirates kidnap NSCDC operative, four Conoil workers in Bayelsa waterways

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Suspected sea pirates have abducted an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and four contract workers at the Conoil field in Koluama 1, Bayelsa State.
Our correspondent learnt on Monday that the five victims were kidnapped when they were going to Koluama 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA).
The four abducted contract workers, 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 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 efforts to secure the release of the abducted persons.
Spokesman of the NSCDC in Bayelsa State, Solomon Ogbere, confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that we are in receipt of the report of the kidnap. One of our officers and four civilians 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 LGA.
The state government had earlier imposed a curfew on the waterways and 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 the text message sent to his mobile phone.