Eleven persons remain unaccounted for after a boat was hijacked by pirates along the Bonny-Okrika waterways in Rivers State.
The hijack incident occurred on Thursday as the pirates stormed the boat carrying 20 passengers. However, Bonny Local Government Counci chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox said nine out of the passengers were rescued while a frantic search is on to rescue the others.
Claude-Wilcox, said in a statement issued by his media aide, Boma Waribor, on Friday, said the driver of the passenger boat went contrary to the rules to pass through kilometre 10, which is a prohibited channel for commercial boat drivers.
“Security briefing at the disposal of the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, indicates that a passenger boat comprising 20 persons enroute Bonny was intercepted this by Sea Pirates around the precincts of Isaka in Okrika Local Government Area.
“However, it should be noted that nine persons have been found and returned to Port Harcourt through the timely intervention of Government Security operatives who are currently up and about and have intensified efforts to rescue the remaining 12 passengers.
“It should be noted that preliminary findings reveal that the Boat Driver disobeyed the rules and passed through Kilometer 10, a prohibited channel for commercial Boat Drivers.
“The marine police are aware of the matter, and I know that they are handling it. As a union, too, we have sent a search party twice today.”
