Sea pirates have allegedly raided and shut down the creeks of Egragbene through the Ramos River in Burutu and Bomadi Local Government Area in Delta State.

The communities reportedly attacked by the sea pirates include Egragbene, Ikogbene, Orugbene, Abediama, Ekumugbene, Ebieregbene, Kalafiogbene, Agoro-Delta, Ogriagbene, Enekorogha, Ndoro and other communities within the Ramos River.

The pirates reportedly stormed the communities with guns, shot sporadically, kidnapped and robbed indigenes.

They also allegedly raped women and girls, even as workers of multinational oil companies in the affected communities, could not go to work at the time of this report.

Commercial farming and fishing activities have reportedly been brought to a halt, just as there were no security personnel on the ground to deal with the sea pirates.

Eye witness accounts have it that indigenes and residents were afraid to speak to the press for fear of being attacked.

Some concerned indigenes of the communities, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report, saying: “The Joint Task Force, JTF, Army, Navy, Air force, Police and Civil Defence are nowhere to be found here. The Sea pirates raid us every-day and night, kill our people, rape our women and even rob us. As it is, we cannot access the waterways, we cannot travel and or even do business. The Delta State Government too have not been able to help us after several appeals.”

When contacted, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeyinka Adeleke, in a telephone chat said he needs to have a holistic view of the area, if the situation is getting worse so as find a way to curb the menace of the sea pirates.

(Daily Independent)