Suspected sea pirates abduct 18 in Rivers

Suspected sea pirates have once again struck fear into residents and travelers along the waterways of Rivers State, abducting 18 individuals in two separate incidents earlier this week.

According to reports, the first attack occurred on Tuesday when a wooden cargo boat en route to Bonny in Bonny Local Government Area was hijacked. The assailants reportedly diverted the vessel and took the five passengers on board hostage.

In a separate incident the same day, 13 passengers traveling to Bille were reportedly abducted at Isaka, in Okrika Local Government Area. The coordinated nature of the attacks has raised alarm over rising insecurity on the state’s waterways.

The passenger boat, powered by an outboard engine, was also seized during the operation.

The boat involved in the Bille attack was reportedly the same vessel, piloted by the same operator, that suffered a similar attack on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, during which six passengers were kidnapped.

A third attack occurred off Tourist Beach in Port Harcourt, where another outboard engine-powered speedboat was snatched.

Fortunately, there were no passengers on board at the time.

The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying, “The police are working hard to rescue the victims unhurt.”