Fishermen in Akwa Ibom have raised alarm over rising attacks by gunmen, saying they have lost seven outboard engines within a week. 

The fishermen in Ini-Ikwe, a fishing settlement in the Onna Local Government Area of the state, lamented that the waterways were no longer safe as a result of rising insecurity.

They narrated their plights through their spokesperson, Ernest Charlie, when they met with the chairman of the local government, Iniabasi Ekanem, on Tuesday.

“Last week, gunmen collected six outboard engines from us and even cut off one of our friends’ hands during the attack. And just yesterday, one outboard engine was stolen again in our community.

“We need the government to help us beef up security in this area in order to stop gunmen from further attacking us,” Mr Charlie said.

He further told the chairman that each of the outboard engines stolen by the hoodlums cost about N1 million.

“Gunmen are terrorising us in our waterways and our safety is not guaranteed. We no longer go out fishing again as a result of the attacks,” Mr Charlie said.

He also appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel and council authorities to deploy a surveillance boat to help curb the endless attacks by the gunmen.

Responding, Mr Ekanem expressed dismay over such attacks by hoodlums in the waterways.

(NAN)