Gunmen have abducted four women along the waterways of Foropa in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in a violent attack on Tuesday. The women were part of a group of 12 traders traveling in a local boat when the gunmen struck.
The boat had departed from the Swali Ultra-Modern Market in Yenagoa and was en route to the hinterland markets when the assailants dispossessed the passengers of their money and valuables. While eight women were released, the remaining four were taken to an undisclosed location, raising alarms among local traders who rely on the waterways for their business.
The abduction has drawn sharp criticism, especially from Selekaye Victor-Ben, a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4. Victor-Ben, who also chairs the Assembly Committee on Human Rights, condemned the incident as a “cowardly attack” on innocent citizens and a threat to the region’s peace and economic stability.
Speaking out on Thursday in Yenagoa, Victor-Ben expressed his strong disapproval, stating, "This cowardly attack on innocent citizens, who were simply trying to earn their livelihoods, is not only an affront to our shared humanity but also a grave threat to the peace and economic well-being of our constituency and the entire state." He called for swift action to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the victims.
The lawmaker further urged the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to act decisively to apprehend the perpetrators. He emphasized the importance of enhancing security and surveillance on the waterways to prevent further criminal activities.
"The safety and security of our waterways are paramount. Urgent steps must be taken to enhance surveillance and patrols to prevent future occurrences of such heinous crimes," Victor-Ben said, stressing the need for sustainable measures to safeguard those who depend on the waterways for daily survival.
The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Musa Mohammed, responded that he had not yet been briefed on the incident when contacted for comment. However, the alarming rise in insecurity, especially along the waterways, has left many residents and traders in Southern Ijaw fearful of future attacks.
