Sea pirates again raised the bar in their insidious efforts at grounding the economy of Rivers State as they killed a renowned fashion designer, Hope Georgewill recently.

The deceased, Georgewill was during his lifetime the chief executive officer of HMG Attitudes, which combines a Fashion Academy, Bespoke and Industrial Tailoring, Luxury Brand Stimulator, and Wardrobe Consultancy.

Reliable sources told Kristina Reports that the daredevil pirates had on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 ambushed a speedboat, “H.J. Miracle”, with an 85horseppower and 75horsepower Yamaha outboard engines, traveling from Elem-Kalabari in Degema Local Government Area to Port Harcourt, the State capital.

The sources further disclosed to Kristina Reports that the hoodlums kidnapped the speedboat pilot, Lucky Isokariari, and two passengers, one of whom was Hope Georgewill, along the New Calabar River in Degema LGA of the State.

The criminals were said to have fled with the boat and their beleaguered victims to an unknown location.

The kidnappers reportedly later contacted the boat owner through the operator’s phone, demanding N10 million as ransom for the release of the victims.

Unconfirmed to reports have it that the pirates allegedly murdered Georgewill on the afternoon of Friday, March 28, 2025 despite efforts to secure his release.

The Rivers State Police Command is yet to make a statement on the incident.

The gruesome murder of celebrated fashion designer, Hope Georgewill, allegedly by sea pirates again highlights the reality of a relentless and insidious drive to ground the economy of the State.

Since 2015, Rivers State has had its economy on reverse gear with the proliferation of violence for political leverage and lack of any intentional economic agenda by the previous administration.