The Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) says that its security operatives and workers have been killed in Okoroma and Ogbokiri-Akassa communities of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, Niger Delta region.
NAOC said the security operatives and workers were killed when gunmen attacked them at an oil facility at Nembe swamp, adding that other persons sustained injuries in the attack.
In a statement, Agip said its murdered personnel were working for the restoration of mangroves in swamp seriously damaged by oil spill.
He attributed the spill to the activities of illegal refineries and sabotages.
He said, “With deep sorrow, Eni confirms that a group of Eni contractors accompanied by security operatives were attacked by an armed group causing as far as we know 3 fatalities and 2 injuries.
“Contractors were working at a Mangrove Restoration project, which envisages the restoration of mangroves in the Swamp area of Nigeria, seriously damaged by illegal refineries and spills due to sabotages.
“A very precarious and worsening general security situation is confirmed in the Swamp area, which put in danger and harms the company people and contractors, as well as the local communities.”
Spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa State, Mr Solomon Ogbere, also confirmed that NSCDC officers were also killed.
He said officers who sustained injuries in the attack were responding to treatment, while investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the attack.