Gunmen invade Bayelsa community, kill three, injure two

Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Unknown gunmen suspected to be sea pirates have killed three persons and injured two others during their invasion of Ayama community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred about 9pm on Monday.

The suspected pirates, said to be about 10 persons, reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on a crowd of natives.

Also, it was learnt that the same set of pirates also extended their invasion to Ogbia town, another community in Ogbia LGA, on Tuesday, abducting one Mrs. Augusta Apaga.

A member of the State House of Assembly representing Ogbia Constituency 2, Munalayefa Gibson, who confirmed the incident, condemned the attacks in strong terms.

According to him, the sea pirates shot into the community for over 30 minutes before towing away more than 10 speedboats.

On the development in Ogbia town, Gibson said the invasion took place about 12:30am on Tuesday, noting that the hoodlums took Apaga hostage and also went away with four 75 horsepower engine boats parked at the waterfront.

The lawmaker said Ogbia LGA had been thrown into mourning, particularly in Ayama community where three persons were killed and two left in critical conditions.

He said the injured were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital as a result of stray bullets that hit them.

Gibson, who described the separate incidents as “senseless, wicked and barbaric,” frowned on the alarming wave of of cases of sea piracy and kidnapping along coastal communities in Ogbia LGA.

He lamented that the way and manner the “merchants of evil” operate suggested that there are insider collaborators from the communities acting as informants and sponsors, as well as benefiting from “the blood money.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the police had commenced investigation into the incident.

source http://punchng.com/gunmen-invade-bayelsa-community-kill-three-injure-two/