"The team had conducted their daily surveillance and were on their way back when unexpectedly, some gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, opened fire on them. The men fired back but because it was an ambush, and one of them was killed."
Suspected sea pirates have killed an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa State, SaharaReporters has learned.
The pirates reportedly laid ambush on the personnel of the corps on Friday night while on surveillance duty.
It was gathered that the operatives were on surveillance duty in Ogbobiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of the State when they came under attack by the hoodlums.
The operatives drafted from the Anti-Vandal Unit of the NSCDC were said to have gone to the creeks to check some oil installations in the area in line with the directive of State Commandant Desmond Agu.
A source from the State Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the commandant had deployed the team in oil-bearing communities in the State following the activities of militants in the region.
"The team had conducted their daily surveillance and were on their way back when unexpectedly, some gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, opened fire on them. The men fired back but because it was an ambush, and one of them was killed," the source said.
He said the incident happened on Friday at about 11:15 PM, adding that the gunmen must have also suffered casualties.
It was further learned that the deceased was a native of Okodi in Ogbia LGA of the State.
Divers have recovered the remains of the killed officer.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Agu described it as 'unfortunate' and restated the commitment of his command in protecting all critical assets of the government against sabotage.
He said that the killers would not go unpunished, adding that his men gave a good account of them despite the ambush.
Mr. Agu asked criminals operating in the creeks to give up their activities or relocate from the State.
The State commandant added that the command was determined and motivated to deal with them.
"My men of the anti-vandal unit on surveillance duty were ambushed at Igbobiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. They were ambushed on their way back by sea pirates.
"One of them was killed. The incident happened on Friday at about 23:15 hours. We have recovered the body," Mr. Agu told our correspondent.
