Pirates attack 10 boats in Bayelsa

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Pirates attack 10 boats in Bayelsa
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Gunmen suspected to be pirates have attacked 10 passenger boats along the Sagbatoru-Igweta-Iwoama Waterways in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
  
  Our correspondent learnt on Monday that many passengers lost money and valuables worth over N12m in the attack that occurred at about 11am on Saturday.
  
  It was learnt that the pirates operating on two speedboats opened fire on the passenger boats and forced them to a halt.
  
  A 26-year-old man was reportedly soaked with fuel by the gunmen who threatened to set him ablaze.
  
  The man was said to have refused to hand over his handset to the bandits who operated for over an hour.
  
  The incident reported scared most of the guests heading for the funeral of the mother of a one-time Speech Writer to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Nengi Illagha.
  
  One of the victims, Madam Efe Victory, told our correspondent that the gunmen operated in three speedboats and rounded up over 10 speedboats.
  
  “They diverted us to the creeks and started searching us. They collected our phones and our cash. The route is known for its notorious nature for pirate attacks. But this incident took a dangerous dimension when the pirates threatened to set one of the passengers ablaze,” Victory said.
  
  When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said the matter had yet to be reported to the police command.