Pirates kill four policemen, abduct six in Bayelsa State

There was apprehension in Bayelsa State on Saturday as gunmen said to sea pirates allegedly killed four policemen and abducted six persons.

The killing of the policemen and the abduction of the six persons were said to have been carried out in two separate operations in the state.

While the killing of the policemen took place along the Santa Barbara waterways, the six were abducted along the Nembe waterways in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.



SUNDAY PUNCH learnt the gunmen also seized a gunboat belonging to the Nigeria Police in an incident that occurred about 1:30pm on Friday.

It was learnt the gunboat was escorting a barge owned by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company when the pirates attacked it.

It was further learnt that the pirates, who operated on a speedboat, laid ambush for the gunboat and opened fire on the policemen.

They were said to have killed the policemen, who were taken unawares. They subsequently took away the gunboat and their arms.

The incident was also said to have delayed the movement of prominent personalities travelling to Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area for the funeral of an uncle to former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said he was in Abuja for a programme.

Also, in response to an enquiry, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, sent a message that he was in a meeting.