Gunmen ambushed a vehicle of an engineering business along the Ahoada/Abua axis of the East-West road in Rivers state, killing four soldiers and two drivers and kidnapping two Korean expats.
According to The Nation, the event occurred at 9.30 a.m. while the company was transporting its personnel to a camp in Yenagoa.
A source told the publication; “During the attack, the assailants opened fire on the convoy killing 4 soldiers and 2 civilians’ drivers and subsequently abducted two Koreans in the process.
“Details are still sketchy but efforts are ongoing to get more details from the units. Further details will be forwarded as soon as possible.”
The Nigerian army confirmed the occurrence and promised that those responsible would be apprehended and prosecuted. The attack was carried out by suspected militants, according to Maj. Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Officer.
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He said; “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. Unfortunately, 4 soldiers were killed in action, with 2 other oil workers unaccounted for.
“The suspects allegedly escaped through the Emesu waterside, using the Orashi River. 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.
“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.
“The public is also assured 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.”