Four women have been kidnapped by sea pirates in Bayelsa State after a passenger boat was attacked. The boat had just left Swali Market Jetty in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, and was traveling along the Lobia/Foropa Waterways in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

Twelve passengers on the boat were robbed of their money and belongings. After that, the pirates took four market women into the nearby bush.

Hon. Selekaye Victor-Ben, who represents Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, spoke against the attack. He said that the abduction of the women was a cowardly act against innocent people.

“This is a cowardly attack on innocent citizens who were simply trying to earn their livelihoods. It is not only an affront to our shared humanity but also a grave threat to the peace and economic well-being of our constituency and the entire state. I vehemently condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and stand in solidarity with the families of the victims during this agonizing time,” he said,

Victor-Ben, who also chairs the Assembly’s Human Rights Committee, asked the Bayelsa State Government and security forces, especially the Nigerian Police, to act fast and make sure the women are rescued without delay.