Some of the rescued fishermen
Unknown armed men have attacked fishermen while at sea near Senya Bereku in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region.
Reports indicate that the pirates fired multiple warning shots before holding the fishermen at gunpoint and making away with seven outboard motors, generators and other valuables.
The reports had it that the fishermen had set out in the early hours of yesterday for their usual fishing expedition.
While returning to shore, they were allegedly ambushed by the armed attackers who were using a black boat. The incident, left more than 50 fishermen stranded offshore.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Awutu Senya West, Kalala Nyamekye Eghan, confirmed the incident and assured the victims’ families of the assembly’s support.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizzella Tetteh-Agbotui, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has deployed the Marine Police and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to the area to protect fishermen and prevent further attacks.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) indicated that they had launched a search operation at dawn, approximately 35 nautical miles off the coast of Senya Bereku, to rescue the victims.
The Central Regional Minister also confirmed that no deaths or injuries have been recorded following the armed attack on fishermen at sea near Senya Bereku.
According to Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, arrangements were immediately made to rescue the fishermen after reports of the robbery emerged.
“So far, we’ve not had any information about somebody dead or hurt, and so our concern is to bring them down quickly, which is what we have done,” he stated.
Rescue
The victims, numbering over 50, who were in two locally manufactured canoes, were safely brought to shore, after several hours of search, and were greeted with wild jubilation by family members and colleagues.
In a statement issued yesterday, the GAF urged the public to remain calm and assured that further details would be shared as they become available.
The Criminal Investigation Department has also begun recording statements from the rescued fishermen.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi