Militants Attack A’Ibom Fishermen, Steal 50 Outboard Engines

 

Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates attacked a fishing community in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, injuring scores of residents,

It was gathered that the militants snatched more than 10 Yamaha engines and 40 horsepower outboard engines at gunpoint during the attack, which occurred in the Itanwa area, in the Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.

The fishermen were said to had suffered several attacks and abductions of their members in the last one year.

According to PUNCH, a source in Uyo, on Sunday, said that the latest attack occurred when the militants stormed the high sea in a speedboat with double 200 horsepower engines and dispossessed the victims of their belongings.

He said, “More than 10 Yamaha and 40 horsepower outboard engines were snatched at gunpoint from the fishermen in the Itanwa axis of Ikot Abasi LGA of the state today (Saturday).

“Some fishermen were brutalised, while others sustained varying degrees of injury. They (the sea pirates) came in a speedboat with double 200 horsepower engines.”

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said the command had yet to be informed about the incident, adding that he would find out.