In Bayelsa: Suspected Niger Delta militants attack oil vessel, kill policemen

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Bayelsa Command, Asinim Butswat, said that one policeman is still missing.

At least three persons have been shot dead by suspected militants in Bayelsa State, Premium Times reports.

It was gathered that the militants attacked a tug-boat carrying crude oil in Southern Ijaw creeks.

At least three crew members, two of which were security operatives, were reportedly killed in the attack.

This is coming barely three weeks a military houseboat was ambushed by suspected Niger Delta militants in the same area, leaving two persons dead.

The latest attack occurred on Friday, September 22, at Ekebiri Waterways in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Bayelsa Command, Asinim Butswat, said that one policeman is still missing.

Butswat said that a response team dispatched to the crime scene rescued eight occupants of the ill-fated boat while efforts are underway to arrest the suspected bandits.

He said: "On 22, September 2017, at about 1845hrs, a Tugboat, towing a Barge with a combined team of policemen from the Nigerian Inland waterways, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp and Civilians on board was attacked by Suspected Sea Pirates. The incident took place at Ekebiri Waterways in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa.

"A reinforced team arrived shortly and rescued one Policeman, three NSCDC personnel and four civilians. However, a policeman, one NSCDC Personnel and a civilian were shot dead by the sea pirates. One Policeman is still missing."

The police spokesperson said that the remains of the victims have been recovered and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary for autopsy.

According to him, a search party has been deployed to find the missing policeman while all security operatives in Southern Ijaw LGA have been alerted and efforts are on-going to arrest the culprits.