Fishermen in A’Ibom Oil Producing Territory Protest Attacks by Pirates

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Fishermen in the waterways of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have protested constant attacks on them by pirates operating in the area.

The fishermen, including those of Ijaw, Yoruba, Obolo and Ghanaians ethnic nationalities, complained that they were been robbed on a daily basis and disposed of their outboard engines by the hoodlums.

According to them, no fewer than 50 pieces of their outboard engines have been seized by the hoodlums in the month of April 2023, adding that scores of them have also been kidnapped and even killed.

Chief Golden Ogungbemi, the leader of the Yoruba community in Upenekang, said the fishermen are afraid of sailing into the sea to operate hence the hardship they are experiencing.

He lamented that they are helpless as security operatives in sea have refused to come to their help.

According to him, “Our major problem is the issue of sea pirates. They have been unleashing mayhem on fishermen to the extent that we are no longer going to the sea. The situation is so bad. Whenever fishermen went to the sea, they confront you at gunpoint and seize your outboard engines.

“In March alone, fishermen lost about 30 pieces of outboard engines to the sea pirates. Just this April, they came again and dispossessed the fishermen of about 20 pieces of outboard engines. Each engine costs about N3million.

“This has been a recurring decimal. We have been facing this situation for the past 10 years. Some of the fishermen have been kidnapped and ransom demanded and paid. Most times, we pay up to N500,000 for the sea pirates to release our engine to us.”

One of the victims, Mr. Christopher Nathaniel, said he was attacked by the hoodlums last Sunday and his engine seized.

He said: “I was attacked on Sunday and my engine stolen. The pirates gave me their phone number and asked me to call them and pay N500,000 to get my engine back which I have done.”

On security agencies, he said: “There are quite a number of Marine policemen and navy operatives on the sea. They are protecting oil company facilities and their workers and have never helped us when we are attacked.”

Meanwhile, the state Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Odiko MacDon, confirmed the incidents of attacks on fishermen by sea pirates.

MacDon disclosed that the police have always collaborated with other security agencies, especially the navy, in fighting the hoodlums.

He added that the police had rescued over 28 victims and recovered their engines while 10 suspected sea pirates had been arrested and currently facing prosecution.