Hoodlums kill four soldiers, two oil workers abducted in Rivers

The Nigerian Army in Rivers State said some suspects hoodlums attacked its troops on routine escort duty at Enweh West Manifold in Ahoada East Council of the state and killed four soldiers and two oil workers still missing.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Danjuma Jonah, yesterday, noting that the gunmen escaped through Emesu Waterside using the Orashi River.

Danjuma noted that the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, had strongly condemned the unwarranted attack, assuring that efforts are ongoing to track down the criminals to pay for their crimes.

“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,” Danjuma said.

“Unfortunately, 4 soldiers were killed in action, with 2 other oil workers were unaccounted for.”

He disclosed that the suspects allegedly escaped through the Emesu waterside, using the Orashi River and 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,” Danjuma said.

“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 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.”

He assured the public 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.