Relatives and friends of the 11 passengers kidnapped by sea pirates, indeed, the entire Bonny Local Government Area are in celebrative mood as the abductees regained their freedom early this morning.
Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha, who confirmed this to Kristina Reports on Thursday, March 11, 2021, said the abductees have now rejoined their families after being debriefed by the Marine Police, Bonny Division at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Nigerian Navy, Akiama, Bonny.
Irimagha, who spoke through the Secretary to the Bonny Local Government Council, Omoni Longjohn, expressed gratitude to God for the safety of the 11 passengers and the boat pilot, while thanking the people of Bonny LGA for their patience and support during this trying period.
“They have been released and they are now in their houses after they were debriefed by the Marine Police in Bonny. They are 11 passengers plus their driver, making 12; and all 12 of them are now with their families.”
Also confirming this development to Kristina Reports, Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Police, Bonny Division, Solomon Adeniyi said that the support of the Chairman of Bonny LGA, David Irimagha was key to the safe release of the victims.
“It is the Local Government Chairman that was running around and ensured their release. The moment they were released, he called to inform us that they were on their way so that we can have one or two information from them to avert any other eventualities.”
“Yes, they released them and they brought them back and I have just debriefed them now. They are together at the naval base now, 11 of them and their driver are free and they are in sound condition.”
On his part, the Commanding Officer of the FOB, Nigerian Navy, Bonny, Navy Capt. Badamasi Yahuza stated that the sustained ongoing clearance operations by the security agencies in Bonny LGA were instrumental to the release of the kidnap victims, asserting that the operations would be sustained to assure the safety of lives and properties in the area.
“The Security Agencies within Bonny Island are committed to ensuring the security and safety of lives and properties in Bonny, adjoining communities and on the associated water ways. We will continue to be proactive in the discharge of our duties using all information at our disposal.”
“It is imperative to state that the series of continuous clearance operations carried out by FOB BONNY in conjunction with other security agencies in Bonny were instrumental to the release of the 11 kidnapped victims. To this end, the Base and other security agencies will sustain ongoing clearance Operations within identified creeks and on the Island.”
He warned criminal elements in the area to desist forthwith or face the wrath of the law which he declared would be fully visited on any recalcitrant individuals or groups that continues to threaten the peace and stability of the area.
“We are calling on the criminal elements to immediately cease all criminal actions which threatens the peace and stability of Bonny, I wish to unequivocally state that the FOB BONNY will not relent in its efforts to rid the region of all criminal delinquents and their sympathizers.”
“I wish to thank the Bonny Local Government Council, our most respected Traditional Rulers, the IOCs and the good people of Bonny Kingdom for their continued support to secure agencies in Bonny.”
The 11 passengers and their pilot were abducted by sea pirates on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 along the Bonny River at Isaka Community on their way to Bonny from Port Harcourt.
They were received upon arrival at the Coal Beach, Bonny by the Vice Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Barasua, accompanied by a joint security team and transported to the Forward Operating Base (Base) of the Nigerian Navy, Akiama, Bonny, where they were debriefed by the Marine Police and medicals conducted to ascertain their state of health having undergone such traumatic experience.
Sources told Kristina Reports the series of operations by operatives drawn from the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and Forward Operating Base (FOB), Nigerian Navy, among others includes surprise raids on criminal hideouts around Snake Creek on the fringes of the boundaries between Bonny and adjourning LGAs resulted in the release of the victims.
Kristina Reports reliably learnt that the military operatives missed apprehending the hoodlums as they (criminals) escaped upon getting wind of the approach of the security operatives.
Director of Pollution in the Bonny Youths Federation (BYF), Ibifubara Allaputa praised the Chairman of Bonny LGA, David Irimagha and the security agencies in the area for their forthrightness and doggedness in securing the release of the abductees, noting that the profound synergy among the stakeholders facilitated the safe return of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Banigo 5, Thompson Allison, Dagogo Jackmay, Theophilus Ibiama, Daniel Hart and Sunny Hart are still in captivity as fears heighten as to their safety six months after their abduction.
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