Fishermen in Ibeno Local Government area of Akwa Ibom have decried the activities of pirates in the Atlantic Ocean that have resulted in the loss of their boats, money and fishing gadgets.
The fishermen told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeno on Tuesday that the development had crippled their economic well being.
According to them fishermen, the pirates attacked their boats with sophisticated weapons between 7.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. on Monday and took away their boats and other belongings.
One of the victims, Mrs Disoni Obatimihi of Nkpanang community, described the incident as “unfortunate and sad’’. She told NAN that she lost N2.4 million and two engine boats, which she bought on hire purchase to the sea pirates.
Obatimihi appealed to the state government to come to their aid to ameliorate the suffering.
Another victim, Mr James Enoch, said the pirates took his boat at gunpoint, adding that the activities of the pirates were becoming very regular.
Mr Kinsley Enikuemehin said the attacks caused hardship to fishermen in the area.
“After the sea pirates collected my engine, money and fishing accessories, they dropped me at the high sea until I saw another boat that came to my rescue.’’
Enikuemehin appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and ensure that the marine police patrol the high sea to check the activities of pirates. According to him, the activities of pirates may lead to scarcity of fish during the yuletide, if not checked.
In a separate interview, Mr Samuel Ayadi, the state Chairman, Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria, said the activities of sea pirates constituted a major challenge to fishermen in the state. Ayadi said the sea pirates stole 20 units of harbour engines from fishermen on November 17 at the high sea.
He said sea pirates were now operating on the Atlantic Ocean almost every day.
According to him, along the Ikot Abasi axis, the pirates took away seven engine boats, fish and money belonging to fishermen on Saturday, November 5.
He said more than 50 outboard engines boats had been stolen from fishermen by sea pirates in the past one month.
The post Ibeno fishermen cry out over activities of pirates in Atlantic Ocean appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.