Gunmen attack Bayelsa community, abduct boat owner

Barely a week after unknown gunmen killed four soldiers, Amatu 11 community in Ekeremor Local Government in Bayelsa State was again attacked at the weekend.

The gunmen, who were said to arrived the community at about 4.30am through its landing jetty, shot sporadically and abducted a local boat owner, Chief John Okotoro.

The gunmen were said to have shot at anyone in sight and looted goods before whisking away their victim, Chief Okotoro, to an unknown location.

The attack also left several persons injured and others missing. This is coming barely one week after some gunmen killed four soldiers and a civilian in a location close to the neighbouring Letugbene community.

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A community leader, who confirmed the attack, Chief Paul Oweipadei, described the attack as one too many, lamenting that the people of the area were living in constant fear of attack from gunmen and pirates who terrorise the area.

According to him, the gunmen were trying to pass through the community to gain access to an SPDC facility. He appealed to the state government and security agencies to beef up security along the waterways.

Oweipadei said: “We are appealing to the state government and security agencies to beef up security and station a house boat along the Dodo River waterways because our lives and economic activities are under threat.”

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