Gunmen in Rivers State attack oil company, kill 4 soldiers, kidnap expatriates
Terrorists have carried out an attack on a convoy of workers from Daewoo along the Ahoada/Abua East-West axis in Rivers State.
Neptune Prime gathered that the attackers shot and killed four soldiers and two drivers, while kidnapping two expatriates from the company on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place around 9:30 am while the victims were en route to Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
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According to an anonymous source, the assailants targeted the expatriate workers and opened fire on the convoy, resulting in the casualties and abductions.
A community source suggested that the attack may have been in retaliation for a recent military operation in the area, where arms and ammunition were seized.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she was unaware of the incident when contacted.
However, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division confirmed the attack and the deaths of the soldiers.
Major Jonah Danjuma, acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, via a statement acknowledged that the slain troops were from the 5 Battalion.
The statement read, “Troops of 5 Battalion on routine escort duty for an oil servicing company at Enweh West manifold, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants, at Emesu junction, along Amungboro -Emuphan Road.
Unfortunately, four soldiers were killed in action, with two other oil workers unaccounted for.
“The suspects allegedly escaped through the Emesu waterside, using the Orashi River. Troops are currently combing the general area to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to ensure that the unaccounted oil workers are found.
“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while acknowledging the supreme sacrifice paid by the gallant soldiers, strongly condemned this unwarranted attack.
“He reassured all that efforts are ongoing to track down these criminals to pay for their crimes.
“Consequently, members of the general public are kindly requested to provide credible and actionable intelligence that could lead to the arrest of these criminals.
“The public is also assured that troops will not relent until all forms of criminalities, such as militancy, oil theft, and pipeline vandalism, are effectively eliminated within the Niger Delta region,” the statement said.