Pirates attack oil facilities in Bayelsa, kill 3, kidnap 7
[From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa]
Gunmen suspected to be sea pirates on Sunday attacked two oil installations in Bayelsa, killing three and abducting seven oil workers.
Insecurity has heightened in Bayelsa in recent times, forcing the state government to impose curfew in border communities in the state.
It was learnt that the pirates ambushed their victims in Okoroma, Ogbokiri, and Akassa communities of Nembe and Brass Local Government areas of Bayelsa.
It was further gathered that the gunmen reportedly shot dead two staff of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) whose identity and nationalities were yet to be ascertained as at press time and personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Community sources also disclosed that the driver of the boat conveying the oil workers, an indigene of Okoroma community is still missing.
Our correspondent further gathered that the Agip Oil workers and their security personnel came under attack at about 6am while working close to a manifold in the deep swamp.
Contacted, spokesman of the NSCDC, Bayelsa command, Mr Ogbere Solomon confirmed the incident on Sunday evening.
Solomon said one personnel of the command died in the ambush, while two others who were missing have been found and are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Yenagoa.
He said, “Yes, our officers were ambushed and attacked by some unknown pirates while on their lawful duty of providing protection to some Agip oil workers close to Obama manifold in Okoroma community of Nembe Local Government.
“One personnel was killed while the other two that were missing have been found and are responding to treatment”.
Mr Tarinyu Joseph, Youth President of the Okoroma Clan, said indigenes of the area mobilized in a search and rescue exercise after the incident and recovered the corpses of those killed.
He added that those injured were taken to the hospital while the boat driver, identified as his brother, is still missing.
