The abductors of 13 individuals, including eight students heading to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), have demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release.
The attack occurred on May 6, 2025, along the Port Harcourt–Bille waterway in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. Pirates reportedly hijacked two passenger boats, seizing all onboard, including the schoolchildren.
The incident has sparked fear and outrage across the region as families and communities struggle with the trauma and uncertainty of the victims’ fate.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Dr. Osaki Miller, a native of Bille Kingdom and former Youth President of the community, confirmed that the captors had contacted the victims’ families with the ransom demand.
“As we speak, the whereabouts of the victims is still unknown, and now we have been made to understand that the abductors are asking for N100m ransom,” Miller disclosed.
He expressed deep worry about the well-being of the students, many of whom are minors, and called on the Rivers State government to intervene urgently.
“These are young students who were only on their way to write their exams. Their parents are traumatised, and no family in our community can raise such an outrageous amount,” he said.
Miller further appealed to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to mobilise efforts toward rescuing the victims.
“We have reported the case to security agencies, held protests, and petitioned the government, yet no concrete action has been taken. The State Sole Administrator must act fast,” he added.
Also speaking on the situation, Mr. Fibite Bibi, former Chairman of Bille Community, confirmed that one uniformed security officer abducted with the students had been released last Friday under unclear circumstances.
“They released a uniformed man who was kidnapped alongside the students. We don’t know if ransom was paid. But now, they are demanding N100 million for the rest,” Bibi lamented.
He called on the Nigerian security agencies to rise to their responsibility and secure the safe release of the hostages.
“Nobody here has that kind of money. The security agencies should please act. These people must be rescued,” he said.
When contacted, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, assured the public that active efforts were underway to rescue the captives and apprehend the perpetrators.
“Efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the victims and to apprehend the perpetrators,” she said, adding that the police were working in collaboration with other security forces.
The community continues to live in fear, hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis as time runs against the safety of the kidnapped students and fellow passengers.
