The whereabouts of 12 passengers, including seven WAEC candidates, remain unknown following an attack on their boat Tuesday morning along the Bille waterways. The vessel was en route from Port Harcourt to Bille when it was intercepted, raising concerns over mounting security challenges in the region.
According to Flagg Sanipe, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Bille Unit, most of the missing passengers are women and teenagers. Sanipe expressed deep concern over the persistent security threats faced daily by residents of the Bille community, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by those relying on waterways for transportation.
Boat operators between Bonny and Bille also shared their frustrations with our correspondent, Racheal Ramson, citing fears over continued attacks and the safety of travelers. Some passengers have voiced worries that ongoing insecurity might force them to abandon travel to their villages altogether.
In response to the incident, the lawmaker representing Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Cyril Hart, strongly condemned the abduction by sea pirates. Hart called for the immediate and unconditional release of the victims and urged the authorities—specifically the sole administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, as well as the marine police and Nigerian Navy—to prioritize rescue efforts and ensure the criminals are prosecuted.
