An ex-militant leader, Reuben Wilson, Saturday, raised the alarm over incessant attacks on communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayels State, particularly Koluama, by suspected sea pirates.
Wilson, popularly known as Pastor Reuben, said the communities had petitioned security agencies over the attacks to no avail.
The former creek warlord, who is an indigene of the Koluama clan, said the activities of the marauders crippled fishing, which is the main occupation of the affected communities.
He said transportation and other commercial activities along the waterways were grossly affected adding that for fear of assaults, community heads were no longer having their regular meetings.
“The attacks have become unbearable and may result into bloody confrontations between angry youths of affected communities and the sea pirate gangs”, he said.
Wilson in a statement in Yenagoa, decried the hardship and pains inflicted on the people who constantly come in contact with gun-wielding robbers.
He said the Pirates most times storm the communities at the fringe of the sea, attacking and dispossessing them of their cash and other valuables.
“Five boat engines are stolen daily by these hoodlums and they have stopped fishermen from going expedition because of fear of being attacked and killed.
“The traditional rulers have abandoned their traditional role of deliberating over the affairs of their people for fear of being robbed, kidnapped or killed along the waterways by the sea pirates,” he said.
He called on security agencies to wade into the matter in the spirits of their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
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