Gunmen attack fishermen, cart away 4 outboard engines in Akwa Ibom

Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates have again attacked fishermen in Ibaka, Mbo local government area, Akwa Ibom and carted away four outboard engines.  The gunmen were said to have attacked the fishermen on Friday, and dispossessed them of their belongings at gunpoint. One fisherman who was said to have jumped into the water during […]

Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates have again attacked fishermen in Ibaka, Mbo local government area, Akwa Ibom and carted away four outboard engines. 

The gunmen were said to have attacked the fishermen on Friday, and dispossessed them of their belongings at gunpoint.

One fisherman who was said to have jumped into the water during the attack to escape the bullets of the gunmen is yet to be found.

Speaking to our Correspondent on Monday in Uyo, Counsel to some of the fishermen, Barr. Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon, said the incident which occurred about ten minutes away from Ibaka, involved four boats, and lamented the absence of security at the high sea.

“There was another attack on Friday night on the sea. It happened just about ten minutes away from Ibaka. They attacked four separate boats and carted away four outboard engines at gunpoint. One fisherman jumped into the water during the attack and he is yet to be found,” he said.

Oluwajuwon stated that despite calls on the Federal and state governments to remedy the situation, it has continued unabated and urged that a lasting solution to the challenge should be pursued.

“We are calling on Mr President and Governor Udom Emmanuel to, as a matter of urgency, find a lasting solution to this crisis. Security is the paramount duty of any government as no economic activities thrives in a hostile environment,’’ he said.

Efforts to speak with Slt Pat Dike, the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee, within which Mbo waterways resides, was unsuccessful as she neither picked her calls nor responds to messages sent to her phone.