Pirates kill nine-year-old pupil in Bayelsa

A nine-year-old pupil of Gbaraun Community Primary School in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has been killed by pirates.

It was learnt that the bandits allegedly shot the girl dead as they were operating along the waterways of the community on Tuesday.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident led to a protest in the community by the youth who later apprehended one of the suspects.

The suspect was alleged to have facilitated the movement of the pirates into the area.

The gunmen were said to have moved into the community from Ikebiri area of the council.

Sources said the pirates shot sporadically into the air while snatching a speedboat, adding that the girl was shot when she allegedly peeped to know the reason for the gunshots.

Father of the victim, identified simply as Ziebidei, was said to have reported the incident to the police.

A source who did not want his name mentioned said, “The pirates shot the girl dead at Gbaraun in Southern Ijaw. They were suspected to have come from Ikebiri community.

“One suspect was arrested. The corpse of the girl has been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre.”

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The girl died after she was hit by one of the stray bullets fired by the gunmen. The police have recovered one of the boats used by the pirates during the operation.

“We are on their trail. We know their identities and we will soon arrest the suspects.”


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