By Katherine Abayomi
As reported, six individuals from Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State is said to have regained their freedom after being held captive for 12 days. They were abducted on April 4, 2025, at around 9 AM while traveling along the New Calabar River toward Port Harcourt.
Speaking from their hospitalized beds, the victims shared that a ransom of 28 million naira was paid for their release. They stated that the kidnappers identified themselves as members of an Ijaw group from Bayelsa, confessing that their motive was associated to alleged retribution against the Bille community for opposing illegal bunkering activities in the region.
The victims described their harrowing experience in captivity, detailing instances of torture, physical abuse, and deprivation. “They blindfolded us and took us into a dense mangrove area, where we were subjected to abuse and had our phones confiscated. They searched our bank alerts and emptied our accounts,” they recounted.
“For the entire 12 days, we were deprived of food and water. The only sustenance provided was raw garri on two occasions, which we had to consume without anything to drink. We managed to survive only by God’s grace,” they explained.
Initially, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 60 million naira, but negotiations resulted in the payment of 28 million naira before their eventual release.
In light of their ordeal, the victims have called for enhanced security measures on the waterways. They urged the government to deploy gunboats not only on the ocean but also throughout the creeks to ensure safety for travelers. “Every 200 meters, there should be a gunboat or military personnel stationed to protect local communities,” they emphasized.
They expressed their concerns about the increasing risks associated with navigating the rivers, particularly noting the absence of government security. “Three years ago, we felt safer when community policing was operational. With its removal, our lives are now in jeopardy due to a lack of security,” they stated.
The survivors appealed for urgent action from the government, asserting that if state resources cannot secure the waterways, then local communities should be empowered to protect themselves.
Furthermore, they called for an intensive investigation into their kidnapping, to identify those responsible. “The government needs to find out who was behind this and assist the Bille community. We were fortunate to return alive, but future victims may not be as lucky,” they cautioned.
Their encounters needs an urgent need for a combine effort among the government and local communities to ensure security and safeguard the lives of people in the region.
