BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday apprehended two individuals suspected to be involved in sea piracy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while they were allegedly finalising plans to seize an oil-carrying vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.
The suspects, identified as Geoffrey Atizara, 38, from Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Divine Kelechi Unueze, 42, a native of Nekede in Owerri, Imo State, were arrested at a hotel located on Tenacious Street in the Edepie axis of Yenagoa, security officials disclosed.
Security sources said intelligence reports, supported by statements made by the suspects, indicated that the duo and other members of their group were plotting to attack a vessel, take its crew hostage and make away with the cargo. Further findings revealed that Unueze allegedly provided the funding for the operation, while Atizara was assigned to enlist more members for the gang.
One of the sources said the suspects confessed to being part of a coordinated criminal syndicate operating across the South-South and South-East regions, with a focus on maritime crime and abductions.
The source noted that the arrest has foiled what could have posed a significant risk to maritime safety in the oil-producing Gulf of Guinea, considering the group’s organisation and access to logistics.
Another source revealed that the DSS, in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, has intensified surveillance-based operations to tackle maritime insecurity in the area. Recent operations, the source added, have led to the seizure of several pirate boats and the recovery of crew members from previously hijacked vessels off the shores of Bayelsa and Delta States.
The latest arrest, the source said, underscores the growing successes being recorded by security agencies in the region.
