Again, sea pirates kill two persons in Bayelsa

•Protesters block highway over driver’s death
Barely four days after two policemen and a civil defence operative were slain on the waterways, pirates have again struck, killing fresh two persons in Bayelsa. The victims met their deaths on the Brass-Nembe axis of the state.

A source told The Guardian in Yenagoa that the gunmen, numbering four, opened fire on the passenger’s boat at Okoroma, claiming the lives of a young man and a middle-aged woman in the process.

It was gathered that the ferry was travelling from Yenagoa to Okpoama in Brass Local Council of the state when the pirates struck and carted away personal effects and valuables. The incident occurred 2:00 p.m. yesterday.

The state chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union, Llord Sese who confirmed the development, said five others were injured.

Last Friday, dare-devil gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, killed two cops and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) along the Okoron creek in Southern Ijaw Local Council.

The victims, members of an anti-vandal team, were on routine patrol when the gunmen opened fire on them, before escaping with their rifles. Their bodies were later recovered by divers.

Sources said the security operatives were patrolling the Tebidaba Flow Station when the incident happened at about 7:00 a.m. on the fateful day.

Contacted, the NSCDC Commandant, Desmond Agu, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the bandits.

Also yesterday, women, men and youths blocked the Ogbakiri section of the East-West Road to protest the alleged killing of a resident by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) in Rivers State.

The Prince of Emohua Community, Prince Chigozie Okor, while confirming the incident, said there was palpable tension in the area.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relation Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, were futile as he rejected calls put to his mobile phone. But a senior personnel with the squad disclosed that the operatives had gone to the village for an operation and were attacked by a cult gang.