Gunmen attack passenger boat, abduct eight in Rivers

Gunmen attacked passengers’ boat and kidnapped eight persons who were travelling to Port Harcourt, along the Kula-Abonrma waterway in Rivers State.

Rivers State chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Jonah Jumbo, said the passengers were kidnapped by suspected pirates on Monday morning.

According to him, the eight kidnapped persons include five members of the maritime union in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, who were travelling to Port Harcourt for a meeting.

While appealing to the abductors to release them unconditionally, he called on the state government and security agencies to intervene immediately.

“The Kula unit and Abomema unit (of the Maritime workers union) were asked to come for a meeting in the state office here in Port Harcourt, this morning (Monday).

“On their way from Kula, we got a complaint (report) that the officials who were coming for the meeting were kidnapped.

“All the passengers were kidnapped, including three others in the boat. Up till now, nobody has heard anything from the kidnappers.

“So, we are appealing to the general public, the government, and security agencies to really help us and see how they can reach the kidnappers,” the state maritime union of workers chairman stated

The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Nnamdi Omoni, said he had yet to get the report.

He said: “I don’t have that report yet. I will find out and when I get it, I will get back to you.”

Monday, July 19, 2021