Eight students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), who were kidnapped by pirates along the Bille waterways in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, have regained their freedom after spending 21 days in captivity.
The students were rescued on Monday evening by Royal Fouchee Security Services, a local security outfit widely known as the Amama Soldiers.
The group is led by Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, former leader of the Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and current traditional ruler (Amayanabo) of Torusaramapiri in Degema.
The students had been abducted while traveling by boat to Bille, one of the riverine communities in the area. Their release brings relief to their families and communities, who had been gripped by fear and uncertainty since the incident.
The students had been kidnapped on May 6 when armed pirates hijacked two passenger boats en route to Bille community.
Following the abduction, the assailants contacted the families of the victims and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million for their release.
Speaking on the rescue operation, Asari-Dokubo revealed that the mission began on Sunday in the creeks after the Department of State Services (DSS) requested his assistance.
He deployed his men into the area, which eventually led to the safe recovery of the students.
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He further disclosed that one of the victims, who had earlier secured his release by paying a ₦10 million ransom, played a crucial role in aiding the rescue team.
Asari-Dokubo condemned the actions of the abductors, describing their treatment of the victims—including starvation and psychological torture—as “man’s inhumanity to man.”
The successful rescue operation marks a significant relief for the victims’ families and highlights the persistent security challenges along the region’s waterways.
He said: “These victims have been there (captivity) for 21-days. This is the height of man’s inhumanity to man. You steal your fellow men and dignify it by calling it kidnapping. Steal your fellow human being and keep him somewhere, starve him, ask for money.
“One of our brothers was among the kidnapped people and he paid N10 million. He was the one who assisted us to the camp.”
The monarch expressed deep concern over the fate of a military officer who was aboard the same boat during the pirate attack, voicing fears that the officer may have been killed.
He said: “The military man who was kidnapped along with them has not been accounted for. This is the uniform of the military man, maybe they have killed him. This is his ID card. His name is Salihu Ibrahim.
“Anybody who knows anything about the military man, he is a Lance Corporal. He was supposed to be among the people kidnapped. He was supposed to be the 20th person. 19 of them (abductees), he cannot be found. His uniform is here, 29 Battalion.”
“He (the soldier) was going to Bille when they kidnapped him. He has not been accounted for”, the monarch said in an emotion-laden voice, even as he vowed to end kidnapping and sea piracy along the Kalabari waterways”.
One of the suspects, identified as Victor Friday, has revealed that he worked for a five-man gang responsible for the abduction of the students, led by a man known as ‘Kentebe,’ a Bayelsa State native who remains at large.
Victor, who was apprehended following the rescue operation, claimed he did not participate in the actual kidnapping but served the gang by running errands at their hideout deep in the creeks.
“I wasn’t part of the abduction. I only worked at the camp and did what they asked. I didn’t join them in the act of kidnapping,” he said.
Meanwhile, a victim who was earlier released, along with a boat operator, Victor Akinloye, also recounted their ordeal.
Akinloye disclosed that the hostages were stripped of their clothing and mobile phones, physically assaulted, and forced to endure harsh, cold conditions throughout their captivity.
He said: “After carrying us from the creek, getting to a spot. We came down and started pushing the boat. We got to a point and discovered that some other Bille people were inside the boat.
“They kept all of us inside the boat. We were thoroughly beaten, naked (stripped). They collected our phones, our ATM cards, and withdrew our money. When I came out, I ran to our King, Alhaji Mujahi Asari-Dokubo and told him I knew the place.
“He said he was told such a thing happened. So after three to four days, he sent for me and I promised him that I know the environment (exact creek location), though I don’t drive that place (route) but as a sea-going man I can locate the place.
“So we had to leave and by the grace of God, we went there (camp) successfully and we captured (rescued) them”.
, who were kidnapped by pirates along the Bille waterways in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, have regained their freedom after spending 21 days in captivity.){kind=link}