‘We pay over N150, 000 monthly for security – Calabar speed boat operators lament
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Speed boat owners and operators plying the Calabar-Oron route have decried the high rate of insecurity in the Calabar waters saying they pay N5,000 daily for security which amounts to over N150,000 monthly.
One of the boat owners who craved anonymity disclosed this in Calabar while confirming the hijack of a boat laden with passengers along the route.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday but there has been no official statement by government and security agencies.
He said the pirate attack has been happening in the waters since 2014 and they have been protesting in vain to draw government’s attention to their plight.
He said an attack occurred on the first week of December last year and one of the passengers who was kidnapped paid 250,000 to secure his release.
He also disclosed that while the passengers are usually released, the pirates are after the engine of the boats which cost over N2.5 million for a second-hand engine.
According to him, pirate attacks in the waters have become a routine thing and they are no longer afraid of it because of its frequency.
He appealed to the government to come to their aid a to stem the rate of pirate attack in the Calabar waters.
Meanwhile, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said they are not sure yet.
According to her, “I called our OC Marine and he said that’s what he heard and nobody has come to report to the police.
“The union leader in charge is supposed to come and report but nevertheless we are on the matter.
“The area is being combed and our men are on ground, nobody has come to complain but we are still on it”, she said.
Meanwhile, passenger traffic has plummeted following the incident.
When Oracle Today visited the Calabar – Oron Beach, people were speaking in hushed tones and very few passengers were on ground to board the boat.
