Some dangerous gunmen who are suspected to be Sea pirates have kidnapped some fishermen.

The gunmen on Tuesday attacked and abducted four fishermen who were on a fishing expedition in Ibaka, waterways, Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

The victims including three Ghanaians and one Nigerian were kidnapped just behind the Nigerian Navy FOB Base Ibaka.

The kidnappers have allegedly demanded N2.5m ransom as a condition for their victims’ release.

A lawyer representing some of the fishermen, Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon who disclosed this to our correspondent in Uyo on Friday said the hoodlums attacked four separate boats and carted away their outboard engines in an operation that lasted several hours.

He said, “On Tuesday 28th September 2021 in the morning fishermen from Ibaka going to sea for fishing were attacked by Sea Pirates just behind the Nigerian Navy FOB base in Ibaka waterways and operated for hours.

“They attacked Four separate boats and carted away their Outboard Engines and Kidnapped four persons amongst them are three Ghanaians and one Nigerian who are currently in their custody. The kidnappers are demanding for the sum of 2.5m before they can be released”

Oluwajuwon who lamented that the attack on fishermen by Sea pirates is becoming a daily occurrence said some fishermen have stopped going to sea for fear of being kidnapped

“Last week more than 5 boats were attacked and over 7 persons were kidnapped, it took the payment of 4m before they were released.

“The activities of these sea pirates have crippled the Ibaka Fishing Community and its environs as fishermen could not go for fishing due to fear of being attacked.

“In Ibeno last week, more than 10 outboard engines were seized by the sea pirates. The Akwa Ibom waterways are no longer safe again” he lamented.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon when contacted said he was not privy to such information

He simply said, “I don’t have any such information yet.”

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