Suspected pirates, operating along Brass waterways, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have killed an executive member of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Deiepreye Peters.
Peters said to be an indigene of Brass and Secretary of IYC in his clan, reportedly lost his life in the pirate attack that occurred at the weekend.
It was learnt that the gunmen ambushed and shot at the boat conveying the victim and forced its occupants to flee into the mangroves.
It was gathered that Peters died of internal bleeding caused by the bullet wound.
One of his friends, Sam Dogitimi, described the victim as his former colleague in Brass Local Government Area saying they fought courageously against oil bunkering in the council
“Unfortunately, he is gone, no thanks to the notorious sea pirates. They were ambushed by the sea-robbers on Friday, which consequently forced them to run into the Angala (mangrove).
“Diepreye peters, aka Daddy Offor, died of internal bleeding. For how long shall the people of Brass suffer in the hands of sea pirates?” He said.
Travelers are constantly robbed, maimed and killed by sea robbers along Brass waterways.
“This is not the first of such attack that the people of Brass have faced. Therefore there is a need for urgent deployment of navy personnel to protect lives and properties of the Brass people,” a traveler who spoke in confidence said.
The IYC Spokesman, Eric Omare, confirmed the development and described the incident as sad and unfortunate.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, said the report of the incident had not been officially reported to the command.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.