By Katherine Abayomi.
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Bille Clan, has condemned a recent sea piracy attack that unfortuately resulted in the abduction of five passengers aboard a Bille-bound speedboat along the New Calabar River.
The incident occurred on Friday, April 4, 2025, as the boat was en route to Port Harcourt. According to the IYC, five indigenes of Bille were kidnapped during the attack and remains missing at the time of this report.
In a press statement jointly signed by Comrade Diepiriye Igani, Chairman of IYC Bille Clan, and Comrade Ipalibo Joseph Sanipe, Secretary, the group described the attack as “barbaric” and a “direct affront” to the safety and security of people living in the coastal communities of Rivers State.
“We express deep concern over the increasing cases of insecurity across the Bille waterways. This act is not just a crime,but it is an assault on the lives and freedom of our people. It is highly unacceptable that in this era, our people still cannot travel safely to and from their various communities.”
The IYC called on the Government of Rivers State to take immediate and decisive action to facilitate the rescue of the abducted victims. They also urged the Nigerian Navy Base at Dabira to intensify patrols and surveillance across the New Calabar River, and called on the 29 Tactical Battalion of the Nigerian Army to work with other security forces and community vigilantes in launching a rescue operation.
The council appealed to Bille indigenes, youth groups, and stakeholders to remain calm and vigilant, assuring that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims involved.
“Our prayers are with the kidnapped victims and their families. We will not rest until they are safely reunited with their loved ones,” the IYC stated.
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface,
Executive Director, YEAC-Nigeria, also addressed the rising insecurity on the waterways, noting that it has long pose as a concern for coastal communities in the Niger Delta region.
Fynface explained that reports gathered by YEAC revealed the boat that was attacked by the pirates and people taken hostage were sailing from Bille towards Port Harcourt.
“Six people were said to be on board, but five were taken hostage. The sixth person, who happens to be an elderly woman is reported to have been sick and was heading to Port Harcourt for medical attention.
“The YEAC-Nigeria volunteers also reported that according to the woman and freed boat driver, the elderly woman pleaded with the pirates for her to be freed on her health and age grounds and the pirates heeded to her request luckily, and freed her and the boat driver.
“The pirates are said to have freed the boat driver to take the woman to Port Harcourt while they evacuated five others into their own boat and zoomed off with them.
“All the passengers onboard,including the driver are all natives of Bille Kingdom. Until this moment, no report of their freedom yet,” he stated.
