In a dramatic turn of events, nineteen passengers who were abducted along the Bille-Bonny waterways in Rivers State have been rescued. The victims, who were held captive for 21 harrowing days, were freed on Monday during a high-stakes rescue operation mounted by the Royal Fouche Security Services, popularly known as the Amama Soldiers.
The security unit, founded and operated under the auspices of His Royal Majesty Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari (Dabaye Amakiri I), the Amanyanabo of the Source, Elem Kalabari, executed the rescue mission with precision and bravery. Sources close to the operation revealed that the abducted passengers had endured physical and psychological trauma during their captivity, but thanks to the decisive action by the security outfit, 19 of them were rescued alive.
However, amidst the relief, a dark shadow lingers. Of the 20 kidnapped passengers, Lance Corporal Salihu Ibrahim, a military officer, remains unaccounted for. According to reports, he was allegedly separated from the group by the kidnappers and taken to an undisclosed location. The military and local security agencies are intensifying efforts to locate and rescue him.
In a statement to the press, Da Amakiri Tubo, the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri, commended the heroic actions of the Amama Soldiers, stressing the urgent need to reinforce security along the region’s waterways. He highlighted that criminal elements have increasingly targeted travelers along the Bille-Bonny route, a vital corridor for trade and transport in the Niger Delta.
“This incident highlights the pressing need for collaborative efforts between local security outfits, the government, and community leaders,” Tubo remarked. “We cannot allow our waterways to become safe havens for criminals. The safety of our people must be a priority.”
The kidnapping, which has drawn widespread attention, underscores the ongoing challenges of insecurity in the region, especially in remote and riverine areas. It also sheds light on the effectiveness of community-led security initiatives in complementing formal law enforcement efforts.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the search for the missing Lance Corporal intensifies, stakeholders across the Niger Delta are calling for stronger patrols, better intelligence gathering, and coordinated responses to curtail the activities of kidnappers and pirates.
