The Bayelsa State Police Command has recovered the corpses of three policemen and a boat captain, killed by sea pirates on Friday, October 24, 2014 in the state.
The command was reported to have launched a manhunt for the group responsible for the serial killings and attacks on the waterways in Bayelsa.
The policemen, led by an inspector, were escorting a barge belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company along the Santa Barbara River when they were attacked and killed by the pirates.
According to reports, the pirates shot at the policemen, abducted them and impounded their boat after which they were taken deep into the creek and were allegedly killed alongside tugboat captain, who was also suspected to be a policeman.
The state commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, having being greatly disturbed by the tragic incident, was reported to have directed the Marine Department to recover the bodies of the policemen and the police gunboat impounded by the pirates
Reports states that a team of Marine Police stormed the waterways combat-ready to confront the pirates to recover the gunboat but the pirates were said to have got wind of the police’s operation and shifted base from their location.
The police recovered the bodies of the four deceased victims with the gunboat and the bodies were transported to Yenagoa, where they were immediately deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre mortuary on Sunday, October 26, 2014. .
A security source who pleaded anonymity told the press that the police had received information that the pirates had blocked the waterways again attacking passenger boats and travellers.
“Pirates attacked and killed three of our men. They were escorting an Agip barge when they were attacked. We have recovered their bodies and the gunboat. The bodies have been brought to Yenagoa and deposited at the FMC mortuary.”
The source also added that the police had deployed competent marine operatives in the waterways to ensure adequate security for passengers and seafarers,
