By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—Armed men, suspected to be sea pirates, yesterday, ambushed two speedboats and allegedly kidnapped three persons along the Ogbia-Brass waterways of Bayelsa East senatorial district, Bayelsa State.

File photo: Militants

Among those abducted were two Okpoama chiefs identified as Chief Blessing Wagio and Chief Isaac Akono-Igolo, and a security man whose identify could not be ascertained at press time.

The victims’ boats were said to have left the Ogbia water front at 2p.m., for Brass when they came under attack around Kiberibio area of the Ogbia-Brass waterway, described as hotbed of sea pirates attacks.

A supervisor with the state Ministry of Education heading to Brass for today’s First School Leaving Certificate, a naval officer and a former Chief Librarian in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Chief Jigekuma Ombu-Kieri were said to have escaped unhurt.

An eyewitness in one of the boats, Mrs Kilete Arum, told our correspondent that she saw an unidentified man lying face down in the pirates’ speed when they were being dispossessed of their valuables.

A naval source, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the incident but said information at his disposal was sketchy.
Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said,”I am waiting for details.”