Fishermen from the Andoni axis fishing on the Atlantic ocean have raised alarm over what they described as danger to ordinary fishermen as sea pirates and kidnappers take over the Andoni river of the Atlantic ocean, subjecting fishermen to untimely death and unhealthy treatment.
The waterways of the Atlantic Ocean from Andoni to Akwa-Ibom have always been peaceful except from the month of December when sea pirates disrupt activities of fishermen on the high seas, atleast carting away either monies or items such as petrol.
But according to information made available to The Newswriter, the activities of sea pirates which have resume on the Atlantic Ocean now is not only after monies but also tends to claiming human lives.
The most recent is the pathetic story of a young fisherman, Mr. Sokari Elebe of Andoni who was forcefully taken away after his belongings were carted away by dreaded sea pirates who demanded for two million naira that could not be provided for them, on Sunday December 1, 2013.
Sokari was abducted on Atlantic Ocean by sea pirates and taken to Akwa Ibom State where his life would have been considered terminated but for God’s intervention that landed him at several hospitals in Akwa Ibom State and later in an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.
The intervention of Naval patrol vessels on Akwa Ibom rivers brought succor to the life of Sokari who at the moment has lost all he has in life to sea pirates.
Sokari who spoke to The Newswriter from his sick bed in Port Harcourt narrated how he escaped death when the naval vessels on Akwa Ibom River launched an assault against the pirates vessels that haboured him.
According to the victim, the pirates vessel was sunk and then he swum to the mangrove where other fishermen rescued him, though as one of the pirates but was taken nearby for identification. Thereafter, he was taken to nearby police station and several medical centres and hospitals for treatment, after torture by the community boys who mistaken him for member of the pirates who they claimed invaded their community few days back.
Narrating his ordeal, Mr. Sokari said it took the intervention of the Chairman, Community Development Committee who haven heard him confirmed his story through a phone call to Lagos. At that moment, the CDC Chairman later invited Andoni indigenes at Ibaka community for his rescue, a point where he was interrogated by the police before his family got the information and his relocation to Port Harcourt.
Sokari is a deep sea fisherman who transacts business with high sea trawlers.
He is currently taking treatment occasion on several gun shots, matchete and propella cuts in an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.
Rivers fishermen are, however, calling on the Rivers State Government to provide Naval Patrol and Operation Vessels on the waterways up to the Atlantic Ocean to ensure protection of lives, especially as the festive period gets handy. ###
