A fisherman has been reported dead while scores of others were injured in Brass Island of Bayelsa State, following a pirate attack on the sea on Monday.
The victims, who are said to be of Ilaje ethnic nationality from Ondo State and residing on the island, had set out to fish on the high sea.
Confirming the attack, SP Asinim Butswat, spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, on Tuesday, said a yet-to-be-identified fisherman died when suspected pirates attacked the fisherfolk, stealing their engine boats.
“Some fishermen fishing on the high sea were attacked by sea pirates and they stole their engines, and in the process, one person was confirmed dead,” he said.
One of the victims who survived the attack, Nuru Oriade, said the attackers came in about speed boats. The deceased person was Oriade’s brother.
He said, “We were fishing, dropping our nets this morning when suddenly we saw about five to six speed boats as they 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 to fish this morning. I survived because I pretended to be dead.”
