Army confirms a lieutenant, six others killed in Abonnema

The Nigerian Army has confirmed it lost a lieutenant and killed six persons in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers State.

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said troops of 6 Division, Port Harcourt, on a legitimate duty of protecting lives and properties of law-abiding citizens and ensuring a conducive environment for peaceful conduct of 2019 General Elections in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) Rivers State, were attacked by some hoodlums.

He said the purportedly pre-planned attack occurred in between Charles and Bob-Manuel’s compounds in Abonnema Town at about 1:00 pm on Saturday.

“The attackers barricaded a major road into the town and laid an ambush in the adjoining built-up areas from where they opened fire on our unsuspecting troops when they attempted to remove the barricade”

“The gallant troops fought their way through the siege and in the process killed six of the assailants. However, we lost a lieutenant in the encounter” he said.

The Army spokesperson disclosed that preliminary investigation indicated that one Roland Sekibo, – the Chairman Akuku Toru LGA, Omodo – the CSO Akuku Toru LGA and Kenneth of Kula currently at large were the masterminds of the unexpected/ unprovoked attack.

“To this end, the NA strongly hereby state that perpetrators of this ambush will be made to face the full wrath of the law” he added.