Three Soldiers, Ex-Naval Officer Killed By Suspected Pirates In Bayelsa

pirates

Three soldiers and a retired naval officer were yesterday killed by suspected pirates in the creek of Bayelsa State.

The soldiers attached to Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield were ambushed on the Angiama/Ebedebiri waterways in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

An unidentified civilian was also reportedly killed in the gun battle while the driver of the attacked barge was allegedly taken away.

The soldiers, it was gathered were on escort duty on board Sterling Global Oil Services barge when they came under attack from the sea pirates.

Sources say they were outnumbered by the hoodlums.

JTF confirmed that it lost only two of its operatives, although community sources insisted three soldiers and one civilian were killed.

Confirming the incident, JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said only two soldiers were killed. “I can confirm that our operatives on escort duty on board the Sterling Global Oil Resources barge were ambushed by gunmen on the Angiama-Etelibiri waterways of Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. There was a shoot-out between the gunmen and our troops. Two of our operatives were killed in action. Gunboat patrol boats have been deployed to the area to fish out the culprits.”