By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—Suspected pirates have shot dead an executive member of the Ijaw Youth Council IYC, Diepreye Peters, along the Brass waterways in Brass Local Government area of Bayelsa State.

File: Militants before the federal govt amnesty programme

Peters, an indigene of Brass and Secretary of IYC in his clan, was allegedly shot dead during an ambush mounted by pirates on commercial boats.

It was gathered that the victim died of internal bleeding caused by the bullet injury he sustained during the attack on their boat.

A friend of the deceased, Sam Dogitimi, described him as his former colleague in Brass Local Government Area, adding that they fought courageously against oil bunkering in the council.

He said: “Unfortunately, he is gone, no thanks to the notorious pirates. They were ambushed on Friday, which forced them to run into the mangrove.

“Diepreye Peters, aka Daddy Offor, died of internal bleeding. For how long shall the people of Brass suffer in the hands of pirates?”

Boats plying Nembe and Brass waterways have come under pirates’ attacks with passengers dispossessed of their cash and other valuables, while female passengers are subjected to inhuman treatments, including rape.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said the report of the incident had not been officially reported to the command.