But for the gallant efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (Marine Division), which repelled an attack by daredevil sea pirates attempting to snatch a passenger boat ferrying travelers to Port Harcourt from Bonny Island, Monday, October 26, 2020 would have been another day of lamentation in Rivers State.

Officer-in-charge of the Marine Police, Bonny Division, Solomon Adeniyi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, told Kristina Reports that his men responded to a distress call by one of the travelers early Monday morning, saying the hoodlums took off upon sighting the approach of the marine police gunboats.  

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“The incident happened after Dutch Island, the boat left Bonny around 700hrs to Port Harcourt.”

“We acted based on distress calls from one of the passengers on board the boat. The sea pirates fled and left the attacked boat.”

Some of the passengers, who spoke to Kristina Reports on condition of anonymity, praised the Nigeria Police Force (Marine Division) for their prompt response which saved the day and averted an imminent tragedy.

Recall that sea pirates had attacked a passenger boat the previous day along the Bille-Port Harcourt sea route, killed one person, and taken several others hostage.

Though unconfirmed reports reveal that some of the passengers had been rescued and the seized boat retrieved, Kristina Reports was yet to verify the claims.  

A security source, who preferred not to be named, confided in Kristina Reports that the recent attacks may not be unconnected with the onset of the Yuletide season.

He further disclosed that added to the approach of the Christmas period, the normal means of making money by these hoodlums, which is illegal oil bunkering and illegal artisanal refining of crude oil have been heavily impacted by the onslaught of the security agencies.

Also recall that the Nigerian Navy (NN) Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, in conjunction with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Zonal Office in Port Harcourt has declared a renewed onslaught against all forms of economic sabotage.

This was at the handover of 11 suspects arrested for illegal oil bunkering and other related crimes by the Commanding Officer, FOB, NN, Bonny, Navy Capt. Badamasi Yahuza to the Head, Extractive Industry Fraud Section, EFCC Zonal Office, Port Harcourt, PDS Ani Stanley.

Concerned stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to translate the recent anti-piracy law into tangible action by going bullish on checkmating the activities of sea pirates who terrorize the waterways across the country.    

The Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, passed by Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan led National Assembly, and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, recommends life sentence or fines of up to N500 million for culprits.

Specifically, the law aims to prevent and suppress piracy, armed robbery and any other unlawful act against a ship, aircraft, and any other maritime graft, howsoever propelled, including fixed or floating platform.