Three die in police, sea pirates’ shootout

[Mirror]

At least three people suspected to be sea pirates terrorising the waterways of Twon Brass, Akassa, Okpoama and Southern Ijaw local governments in Bayelsa State have been killed in a gun battle between them and the police.

The suspects were killed on Oporoma – Oyoma waterways about 7.30pm on July 16 when they attacked a police gunboat patrolling the area.

It was learnt that about 10 notorious pirates attacked the gunboat which resulted in a shootout. At the end of the encounter, seven of the pirates escaped through the river.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tonye Ebitibituwa, confirmed the incident.

Ebitibituwa was quoted in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Alex Akhigbe, as saying that with the killing, the police had averted another calamity.

Some armed men ambushed and killed 11 policemen on the waterways of Lobia in Southern Ijaw Local Government on April 5.

He said: "What would have turned out to be another calamity was averted due to the alertness of the patrol team and the preparedness of the Bayelsa State Police Command to deal with acts of criminality, sea piracy, armed robbery and other crimes in the state."

The commissioner urged members of the public to go about their normal duties, assuring that the police were on top of the situation.

He said: "No stone will be left unturned in our quest to deal with all criminal elements in the state."

Meanwhile, a patrol team had arrested 14 suspects specialised in printing fake number plates of tricycles, offering fake foreign admission to students, trailing bank customers and stealing their money in Yenagoa.

Parading the suspects in Yenagoa yesterday, Ebitibituwa, who spoke through his deputy, Ahmed Bello, said the police were determined to fight against crime and criminality in the state.

He said: "The Bayelsa State Police Command has continued to burst crime and arrest criminals. All criminals in this state have been advised to leave or face unpleasant consequences."

Ebitibituwa further said the 14 suspects were arrested in the last two weeks.

National Mirror