Gunmen Kill 4 Soldiers, Abduct 2 Foreigners In Rivers

Gunmen have reportedly killed four soldiers and two drivers and also kidnapped two expatriates in Rivers State.

They allegedly ambushed a convoy of Daewoo workers on the Ahoada/Abua East-West axis yesterday where they killed the victims.

A news online medium, newspointnigeria.com reported yesterday that the incident occurred around 9.30 am on that fateful day.

It said the victims were on their way to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital when they were ambushed.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the miscreants trailed the expatriate workers who were being escorted by soldiers along the Ahoada–Obua Road and opened fire on them.

The source said, “During the attack, the assailants opened fire on the convoy killing four soldiers and two civilian drivers and kidnapped two Koreans in the process.

“The details are sketchy, but efforts are ongoing to get more details from the units. Further details will be forwarded as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, a community source claimed that the attack may be a reprisal following a recent military operation that took place in the area where arms and ammunition were seized.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was not aware of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, confirmed the attack and the killing of the soldiers.

The acting Deputy Director 6, Division Army Public Relations, Major Jonah Danjuma, in a statement, yesterday, said the troops were men of the 5 Battalion.

The statement reads, “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.”