Tension has gripped the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State after four women were abducted by armed men during a boat attack on Tuesday.
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred along the waterways of Foropa when a group of traders was traveling by boat from the Swali Ultra-Modern Market in Yenagoa.
The vessel, carrying 12 women, was intercepted by gunmen who robbed all passengers of their money and belongings before forcibly taking four women to an undisclosed location.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were left traumatized, while fear has since spread among traders and residents who regularly use the waterways for business and transportation.
Reacting to the incident, Hon. Selekaye Victor-Ben, member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, condemned the abduction and called for immediate intervention.
“This cowardly attack on innocent women striving to make a living is a direct assault on our shared values and the economic life of our communities,” Victor-Ben stated during a press briefing in Yenagoa on Thursday.
Victor-Ben, who also chairs the Assembly’s Committee on Human Rights, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“I call on the Nigeria Police and all relevant security outfits to move swiftly and ensure the safe return of these women. We cannot allow such lawlessness to fester in our waterways,” he added.
He emphasized the need for improved maritime security, saying, “Our people deserve to travel freely and safely across our waterways. The government must invest in sustainable measures that guarantee safety and restore confidence in these critical routes.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Command, SP Musa Mohammed, said he had not yet received a formal briefing on the incident.
