Pirates hijack boats in Rivers

By Abiodun OBA

Two boats have been hijacked by pirates on Wednesday along the Port Harcourt-Abonnema-Kula route in Rivers State.

One of the passengers inside the two boats, a woman, reportedly thrown into the river by the pirates was however, later rescued.

The passengers were said to be travelling from Abonnema to Kula, both in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, when the pirates attack their boats in the middle of the sea.

Officials of Maritime Workers Union in the area confirmed the hijack of the two boats.

They said the boats were each carrying 12 passengers, most of whom jumped into the river in a bid to escape abduction following the attack by the pirates.

Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Maritime Union Workers in Rivers State, Israel Pepple, expressed worry that attacks along the waterways have resurfaced after a noticeable calm.

At the time of filing this report, authorities of the Rivers State command were yet to react to the incident.

Passengers and seafarers along the Port Harcourt-Abonnema-Kula route in Rivers State have been thrown into panic since the incident occurred.