A total of nineteen individuals, including eight students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, have been rescued after being abducted by suspected pirates.
The victims had been held captive for 21 days in the Bille waterways area within Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Their release came on Monday evening, carried out by a local security outfit known as the Royal Fouchee Security Services, also referred to as the Amama Soldiers.
The group is under the leadership of Asari-Dokubo, a former militant commander and now the traditional ruler of Torusaramapiri community in Degema.
The abductions occurred on May 6, when pirates attacked two passenger boats en route to Bille, seizing everyone onboard, including the students. The incident sparked widespread calls for their immediate release.
The kidnappers later reached out to families of the victims, demanding a ransom of N100 million.
In a statement regarding the rescue, Asari-Dokubo said the operation commenced on Sunday following a request for assistance from the Department of State Services (DSS). He revealed that one of the captives had paid N10 million for his release and subsequently aided in locating the kidnappers’ hideout.
“These people were kept in terrible conditions for 21 days. They were starved and badly treated. One of them, who was released after paying N10 million, helped us find the kidnappers’ camp,” he said.
Asari-Dokubo also expressed concern over a missing soldier, Lance Corporal Salihu Ibrahim, who was on one of the boats. Only his uniform and identification card were recovered, raising fears that he may have been killed.
One of the suspects apprehended, Victor Friday, denied involvement in the actual kidnapping, claiming he only stayed in the camp and ran errands. He identified a man known as Kentebe from Bayelsa State as the leader of the gang, who is currently on the run.
One of the rescued victims, Victor Akinloye, who was also a boat driver, recounted that they were beaten, stripped naked, and had their phones and ATM cards confiscated. He said the kidnappers withdrew funds from their accounts.
Akinloye, who recognized the area where they were held, later helped guide the rescue team to the location.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development.
“Yes, I can confirm they were rescued on Monday evening through a joint effort by the police and the local security group,” Iringe-Koko stated.
