Troops have been placed on the “highest state of alert” as Niger Delta militants on Tuesday renewed offensive in Rivers State ambushing and killing four soldiers of 5 Battalion and two drivers at Emesu Junction along the Aminigboko-Emughan road in Rivers State.
The militants also kidnapped two South Koreans staff of Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited.
The four soldiers were on escort duty as the two dead drivers were conveying the two South Korean staff of Daewoo Engineering contracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to carry out piling work on site of the Enwhe West Manifold in Aminigboko community, Abua/Odual Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
Sources confirmed that the abductors escaped through the Orashi River in a speedboat anchored at the river shore in Emesu Community.
Following the ambush and kidnap incident, the military high command has directed all Commanders and Commanding Officers to ensure that their locations are “are at the highest state of readiness” to ward off any attacks.
The directive also warned all military personnel “to be suspicious of unidentified speed boats, vehicles and similar craft in their area and take action to protect themselves, people in their care, and critical infrastructure.”
A source identified the soldiers killed in action to include Staff Sergeant Oyeniyi Ismail, Sergeant Mark Samson, Lance Corporal Nereka Meelubar and Private Anas Ibrahim. Their corpses have been evacuated to the Military Hospital Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The two drivers shot dead include Mr Daniel Iyaye and Nana Gideon.
The two expatriated abducted are Mr GS Joung and Mr SJ Park.
Already, the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Jonah Danjuma, while confirming the killings and abduction, disclosed that the military has commenced efforts to track down the culprits, noting that efforts are also on to secure unconditional freedom for the two abducted workers.
According to Major Danjuma: “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.”