Boat Drivers Bemoan Kidnap Activities On Waterway

Ahead of the June 16, 2018 Local Government Election in Rivers State, boat drivers have cried out for the state government to save them and their passengers from kidnappers and sea pirates.
The Ke Boat Drivers Association said, both the operators and passengers are constantly attacked by these hoodlums and their belongings stolen.
The Association’s chairman, Mr. Tiriya Aboko, who narrated the activities of the kidnappers to The Tide, said, over six passengers were abducted in 2017 while travelling from Port Harcourt to Ke Community, in Degema Local Government Area.
He insisted that, the drivers are frequently attacked by the robbers, making business difficult for the public.
The chairman who solicited for cooperation between the marine police and the Nigerian Navy to secure the waterways said, the bandits constantly terrorised the route, create panic on the passengers-and cart away valuables.
He also disclosed that over four speedboat engines had been carted away by the kidnappers along the Ke-waterways.
Tiriya called on the Caretaker committee chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Chief Boma Dappa to come to their aid and secure the waterways.
According to him, ‘most passengers are scared of travelling home by water because of the insure route.”
He noted that, the activities of the kidnappers had lowered socio-economic activities in the area and reduced investment in Kalabari communities.

Chinedu Wosu