From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A local fisherman has been confirmed dead while many are still missing after a deadly attack by sea-pirates in Twon- Brass, Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State.
According to investigations the deceased and those missing were believed to be part of the Ilaje ethnic community living in Twon Brass where they specialized in fishing.
It was gathered that the victims in different boats were on the high sea fishing on Tuesday morning when the sea-pirates attacked their boat shooting indiscriminately forcing many of the fishermen to jump into the Sea.
A fisherman was killed instantly, while others in a desperate effort to escape the bullets jumped into the Sea.
It was learned that after confirming that all the other victims have jumped into the Sea , they set the boats ablaze and carted away the engines.
Nuru Oriade, one of the victims who survived the incident, said the attackers came in speed boats numbering about six.
He said: “We were fishing, dropping our nets this morning when suddenly we saw about five to six-speed boats drew close to us and opened fire.
“They set ablaze some of the boats and took away the engines.
“They killed my brother who went along with me fishing this morning. I survived because I pretended to be dead.”
The spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident said the yet-to-be-identified fisherman died when suspected pirates attacked the fishermen, carting away their engine boats.
“Some fishermen fishing at the high sea were attacked by sea pirates and they stole their engines, and in the process, one person was confirmed dead,” he said.