BY LARA ADEJORO
Four workers of a construction company, Setraco have been kidnapped in the creeks of Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Caleb Agene, Otuke Magic Kingdom, Gabriel Oghene and Godwin Odukpong were working on the multi-million naira Ogbia-Nembe road around 9pm on Saturday when they were abducted by gunmen.
The kidnap occurred a few days after the state government set up an 11-man security task force, headed by a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Ebikabowei Victor-Ben.
However, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Bayelsa State chapter, has threatened to go on an indefinite strike, if the government fails to protect its members from attacks by pirates.
MWUN Chairman Lloyd Sese said: “Insecurity on the waterways has been our problem over the years. Sea piracy has increased this year. The creeks and the rivers have become a no-go area for meaningful businesses.
“Unlike the roads that armed robbers will operate under fear that security agencies may catch up with them and run away, pirates rob for many hours unhindered on the waterways.
“Our boats are stolen, drivers are killed and women are raped on a daily basis. We are tired. There is no day we are not attacked.”
On the task force set up to curb insecurity on the waterways, Sese said: “You are asking people living in Abuja, who built mansions there and know nothing about the waterways, to come and secure the waterways. How can it work? We will withdraw our services to stop wasting the lives of innocent citizens.
“These are the same people who have boys doing one thing or the other on the waterways and you want their boss to call them to order. It won’t work.”
Via: http://www.dailytimes.com.ng
