Thirteen passengers traveling on the Bonny-Okrika waterways in Rivers State have been declared missing after their boat was seized by suspected pirates.
Reports indicate that the vessel, which had around 20 passengers on board, was hijacked on Thursday, February 6.
The Bonny Local Government Council has since confirmed the rescue of nine individuals, while efforts to locate the remaining 13 are ongoing.
Anengi Claude-Wilcox, the council chairman, assured the public that local authorities are collaborating with security agencies to secure the release of those still in captivity.
He also noted that preliminary investigations revealed the boat’s driver had deviated from authorized routes, passing through Kilometer 10—a restricted channel for commercial boats.
“The swift response of security operatives led to the rescue of nine passengers, who have been safely returned to Port Harcourt.
“Efforts have been intensified to find the remaining 12 passengers,” Claude-Wilcox stated on Friday.
Authorities have urged the victims’ families and the public to remain calm as rescue operations continue.
