A gang of pirates that stormed the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield base in Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, left a trail of blood in the their wake as they killed four soldiers and a policeman.
The suspected sea-pirates were said to have stormed the base about 11.30pm, Friday night, in four speedboats and shot at the JTF soldiers at the Nembe waterfront.
The soldiers and policemen on duty were said to shot back and tried to repel them. In the ensuing exchange of gunshots, the four soldiers and one policeman were killed.
Sunday Sun gathered that JTF soldiers on patrol quickly moved to the base, but the sea-pirates had already raided the armoury of the base, carting away two HP guns, other arms and ammunition.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Anisim Butwats, confirmed the incident, adding, “A combined team of the JTF, Marine Police and the Navy are combing the creeks to recover the arms and arrest the culprits.”
In the same vein, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, said the attack, which occurred near Ogolomabiri Community in Bayelsa State, is alleged to have been carried out by oil bunkerers.
Abubakar said the military authorities are currently investigating the incident, assuring that JTF would deal “decisively with anybody or group involved in this and similar acts of attacks or sabotage on the nation’s economy.”
Meanwhile the bodies of the four soldiers and policeman who wetre killed in the dastardly attack by the suspected sea-pirates have been brought to Yenagoa.
Sunday Sun gathered that the bodies which were escorted with full armed escort from Nembe was transferred at Ogbia into ambulances belonging to the Federal Medical Centre, and then escorted by stern-looking soldiers to Yenagoa, where the bodies were deposited at the FMC mortuary in the state capital.
The Nation
