Jimitota Onoyume
8 September 2008
Spokesman for the army and Joint Task Force in the state, Lieutenant Col Sagir Musa, confirmed the development to the Vanguard.
According to him, the vessel was not escorted by any wing of the Joint Task Force in the state, a situation he lamented.
He urged intending sailors on the waters in vessels etc to always seek security escort "Report available to the Joint Task Force operation flush out III revealed that unescorted service boat, Fulmar Lamnaco of Agip Brass, enroute Port Harcourt was attacked by militants around Sambriero River in the early hours of 7 September.
One crew member was reportedly killed and one abducted. Those responsible for the dastardly act are yet to be identified, no group has claimed responsibility and the motive is pecuniary.
The JTF wish to emphasize its standing tradition that major companies that have reasons to sail through Onne, Bonny sea routs are advised and warned for their own interest to draw the attention of the naval component of the task force to avail them with the services of Joint Task force dedicated gun boats escort deliberately earmarked for that purpose. "
"A situation where a vessel move in the trouble waters of Niger Delta unescorted is inimical to our collective efforts in securing the water ways and has to be stopped for the good of all"
In a related development, gun men in the early hours of yesterday also abducted father of a member of the state House of Assembly. Chief Odu was reportedly taken hostage at his Rumuobiokani residence by some heavily armed men.
A police source said they came in two saloon vehicles. After shooting to wade off intrusion they reportedly ordered Chief Odu into the boot of one of the cars and fled. As at press time no group had claimed responsibility for the all the incidents above.
And no ransom had been reportedly demanded. Lieutenant Col Sagir when contacted on the abduction of father of the legislator also confirmed it.
Adding that Commander of the Joint Task Force in the state, Brigadier General Sarki Yarki Bello had put all security wings in the state on alert with a view to tracking those behind the abductions and subsequent release of the hostages.
It would also be recalled that weekend some gun men had abducted a high chief from Opobo/Nkoro area of the state. Alabo Noble Diri was reportedly taken hostage at his residence in his country home.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
