Three Niger Delta Avengers, another set of new militants that have been blowing up oil installations and demanding for independent Niger Delta Republic, have been gunned down. They were killed in what was described as a bloody exchange of gunfire between them and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC), even as two officials of the Corps were wounded.
During the gun battle which took place along Snake Creeks in Nembe, Bayelsa State, many of the suspected hoodlums, who reportedly attacked the armed NSCDC personnel were said to have fled with gunshot injuries.
Security operatives have recently become the targets of militants and sea pirates in the Niger Delta region, leading to the death of at least 10 soldiers and naval officers in the last one month.
Confirming the latest attack, Commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Mr. Desmond Agu, said that his men were on patrol when they came under fire from the suspected criminals.
“NSCDC personnel while on patrol along Snake Creek within Nembe Creeks came under heavy attack from the criminals operating along that axis. After the ensuing gun battle, three of the assailants were killed while the rest escaped with gunshot injuries.
“Two NSCDC personnel sustained minor gunshot injuries but have been treated and discharged from the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.”
Agu said that his men other security agencies are working seriously to ensure that security threats in the region are minimized, saying: “the militants cannot take over the creeks because that’s not possible. The nation belongs to all of us. We are talking about protecting Nigeria’s critical assets. We will make sure that in collaboration with the other agencies, the pipelines and other assets are protected.
“We are ensuring that this thing is minimized so that Nigeria will breathe. Nigeria depends largely on oil. On the destruction of pipelines, we are at red alert.” [myad]