Nineteen individuals, including eight WASSCE students, kidnapped by pirates on May 6 in Rivers State, have been rescued after 21 days by a local security group led by Asari-Dokubo

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ineteen people, including eight students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), have been successfully rescued after being held captive for 21 days by suspected pirates in the Bille waterways area of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State.

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The victims were freed on Monday evening, May 26, 2025, by a local security group known as the Royal Fouchee Security Services, also referred to as the Amama Soldiers.

The group is led by Asari-Dokubo, a former militant leader who is now the traditional ruler of the Torusaramapiri community in Degema.

The victims were kidnapped on May 6 when pirates attacked two boats heading to Bille, abducting everyone on board, including the students.

Following the attack, there were widespread calls for their release, and the kidnappers later contacted families, demanding a N100 million ransom.

Speaking about the rescue operation, Asari-Dokubo revealed that his team began their efforts on Sunday after a request for assistance from the Department of State Services (DSS).

These people were kept in terrible conditions for 21 days. They were starved and badly treated.

He also disclosed that one of the victims, who had earlier paid N10 million to the kidnappers for their release, subsequently helped the team locate the hideout.

“These people were kept in terrible conditions for 21 days. They were starved and badly treated. One of them, who was released after paying N10 million, helped us find the kidnappers’ camp,” Asari-Dokubo stated.

However, a somber note was struck as Asari-Dokubo expressed concern about a missing soldier, Lance Corporal Salihu Ibrahim, who was on one of the attacked boats. Only his uniform and ID card were recovered, leading to fears that the soldier may have been killed.

One of the suspects arrested, identified as Victor Friday, claimed he was not directly involved in the kidnapping, stating he merely stayed in the camp and ran errands. He named a man called Kentebe from Bayelsa State as the leader of the gang, who remains at large.

A rescued victim and boat driver, Victor Akinloye, recounted the ordeal, stating they were beaten, stripped naked, and had their phones and ATM cards stolen, with money subsequently withdrawn from their accounts.

Akinloye added that he recognized the area where they were held and later helped lead the rescue team to the location.

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The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the rescue, saying, “Yes, I can confirm they were rescued on Monday evening through a joint effort by the police and the local security group.”