Gunmen have kidnapped four women along the waterways of Foropa in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The women were abducted when the gunmen attacked a local boat conveying traders on Tuesday.
It was gathered that 12 women were in the boat, which had departed from the jetty at the Swali Ultra-Modern Market. All of them were dispossessed of their money and other valuables.
However, four of the women were taken to an undisclosed location, sparking concern among traders who regularly use boats to travel between Yenagoa and markets in the hinterland.
The incident drew a sharp reaction from a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Selekaye Victor-Ben, who called for urgent action to address the rising insecurity in the area.
Victor-Ben, who also chairs the Assembly Committee on Human Rights, described the abduction of the four market women as a cowardly attack on innocent citizens, speaking on Thursday in Yenagoa.
He said, “This cowardly attack on innocent citizens, who were simply trying to earn their livelihoods, 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 agonising time.”
Victor-Ben called on the Bayelsa State Government and all relevant security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to act swiftly and decisively to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the victims.
He also urged the security agencies to ensure no stone is left unturned in apprehending those responsible and bringing them to justice.
The lawmaker said, “The safety and security of our waterways is paramount, and urgent steps must be taken to enhance surveillance and patrols to prevent future occurrences of such heinous crimes.
“The people of Southern Ijaw deserve to traverse our waterways without fear of molestation or attack.
“I implore the state government to prioritise the security of our maritime environment and implement sustainable measures that will guarantee the safety of all those who depend on these routes for their daily sustenance.
“We must collectively work together to ensure that our waterways are safe havens for commerce and transportation, and that such acts of terror are eradicated from our communities.”
When contacted about the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Police Command, SP Musa Mohammed, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Mohammed said, “I am yet to be briefed on it.”
