Gunmen Attack Shell Boat In Bonny …Abduct Firms’ Staff In Bayelsa

A speedboat conveying workers of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was attacked on Bonny Island, Rivers State, at the weekend.
The workers were reportedly attacked at Cawthorne Channel on their way to carry out repairs on SPDC facilities.
“The attack came from unknown pirates. The victims were maintenance workers of the SPDC. No casualty was recorded. Security agencies posted to the area contained the attackers,” a security agent told reporters.
Bayelsa State police spokesman, Alex Akhigbe said he heard about the incident but was yet to get details.
“I am still making efforts to reach the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shore protection and reclamation jobs in Opuama waters in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have been stalled following the abduction of unspecified number of staff engaged by Beks Nigeria Limited and M. Sidom Limited, the contracting firms.
The gunmen, who operated on a speedboat, were said to have snatched their victims in the early hours of Friday and took them to an unknown place.
The victims are workers of the two companies engaged by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) early this year to carry out the jobs.
Sources close to the two firms said the abductors have contacted them and were asking the companies to pay N6 million ransom on each of the victims.
However, a security source claimed that three of the victims have been identified and gave their names as Anukuru Godwin, Samuel Edeh and Jackson Ibani.
The development, The Tide learnt has forced the firms to close shop.
This new development is said to be causing tension and anxiety both in the security circles and among government officials against the claimed of heavy expenditure on security.
Another security source said “the kidnappers caused panic in the area. They have contacted the companies, but are yet to state their terms. We are monitoring the situation.”