Suspected sea pirates have abducted an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and four civilians attached to a contractor working with the Conoil Plc in Koluama 1, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
It was gathered on Monday that the five persons were abducted on their way to Koluama 1 with supplies for the contractor, wife of an ex-militant warlord, Pastor Reuben Wilson, who runs the kitchen for the oil firm.
The abducted NSCDC personnel, identified only as Kalifa, is an indigene of Igarra, Edo State.
It was gathered that the abductors had allegedly demanded a ransom of N25m for the release of the victims.
Some community members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the abduction might not be unconnected with the wrong treatment meted out to some boys working with the former militant leader that led to their sack a few weeks ago without pay.
A close aide of the ex-militant leader, who also confirmed the development, said efforts were being made to secure the release of the abducted persons.
A spokesman for the NSCDC, Bayelsa State Command, Solomon Diri-Ogbere, confirmed the development. He said one personnel of the command was abducted alongside four persons (civilians).
Diri-Ogbere said: “It’s a confirmed story. One of our officers and four civilians were kidnapped last Wednesday while heading to their location where they protect Conoil facilities.
They were all in mufti while returning to their base when they were attacked. The investigation is ongoing to track down the culprits.”
