Unknown gun men suspected to be sea pirates over the weekend kidnapped five dredging workers of Beks Nig. Ltd and M. Sidon Ltd at Opuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
The gunmen who operated on a speedboat were said to have captured their victims in the early hours of Friday and took them to an unknown place. The captors were also said to have demanded N6 million ransom on each of the victims.
The companies were said to be engaged by the Niger Delta Development Commission to carry out shore protection and reclamation at Opuama waterways.
However, a security source only identified three of the victims, and gave their names as Anukuru Godwin, Samuel Edeh and Jackson Ibani.
This development, It was gathered forced the companies to temporarily vacate the dredging sites.
But a source who pleaded anonymity said the kidnappers were yet to state their terms, adding that the entire community are still in confusion following the commando style the kidnappers invaded the company.
He said: “The kidnappers created panic at the area. They have contacted the companies but are yet to state their full terms. We are monitoring the situation”.
In a related development, a speedboat conveying workers of Shell Petroleum Development Company was also attacked at Bonny Island, Rivers State. The workers were said to have been attacked at Cawthorne Channel while on their way to carry out repairs on SPDC facilities.
When contacted, the Bayelsa state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said he was yet to get details, and would relay back when he is through.
