Four market women have been abducted after sea pirates attacked a passenger boat along the Lobia/Foropa Waterways in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to reports, the boat was attacked a few minutes after it sailed off the Swali Market Jetty in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Twelve passengers were dispossessed of their valuables and money before the four women were taken away into the bush.
Reacting to the incident, the member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Selekaye Victor-Ben, condemned the rising cases of sea pirate attacks and the abduction of the four market women.
Hon. Victor-Ben, who is also the chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Human Rights, described the abduction as a cowardly attack on innocent citizens.
“This is a cowardly attack on innocent citizens who were simply trying to earn their livelihoods. It is not only an affront to our shared humanity but also a grave threat to the peace and economic well-being of our constituency and the entire state. I vehemently condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and stand in solidarity with the families of the victims during this agonizing time,” he said,
The lawmaker called on the Bayelsa State Government and all relevant security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police, to act swiftly and decisively to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted women.
In August 2024, a tragic boat explosion in Bayelsa State claimed the lives of at least 20 people. The wooden cargo boat, ‘Godbless Dickson’, was carrying over 60 passengers from Ekeni to Swali market when its engine exploded near Ezetu 1 community, causing it to catch fire and sink.
Rescue operations were led by the Marine Police and Maritime Workers Union, but many passengers remained missing. Several bodies were recovered, and survivors described the chaos and lack of safety equipment during the incident.
Governor Douye Diri expressed sadness over the tragedy and urged strict enforcement of waterway safety rules. He called for proper maintenance of boats and mandatory use of life jackets to prevent future disasters.
