2 JTF operatives dead, one missing after attack by suspected pirates in Rivers

otubo
Gunmen suspected to be pirates have shot and killed two
soldiers on escort duty in Rivers State. One other soldier
has been reported missing after the incident.
The security agents, who were operatives of the JTF, were
escorting a number of civilians aboard a boat when they
met their untimely demise.
The JTF men were caught unawares by their assailants
when they were led into an ambush around the Ikuru
Community in the Adoni Local Government Area of the
state.
The Nation reports:
Another soldier onboard the attacked boat was said to be
missing after the incident.
A security source confirmed that two of the soldiers were
killed at the spot with their bodies recovered, while one of
them was missing.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the soldiers
were escorting civilians when their boat was attacked.
"They fought gallantly but were unable to escape. They,
however, protected the civilians onboard," he said.
It was, however, learnt that three of the civilians,
including the boat operator, sustained injuries.
The boat was reportedly conveying workers of the Z-
Cube Construction Company, who were on their way to
the project site awarded the firm by the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC).
The pirates were said to be operating on a coastal border
between Bayelsa and Rivers states.
JTF was reportedly angered by the incident.
The Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema
Nwachukwu, lamented the death of the soldiers.
He said they repelled the attack and defended the lives of
the civilians they were escorting at the expense of their
lives.
Nwachukwu described the attack as an ambush and said
the outfit was on the trail of the bandits.
He said: "About 1pm on Tuesday, three of our soldiers
fell into an ambush of sea robbers when escorting three
civilian workers of Z-Cube Construction Company,
moving from end of New Road to Ikuru town in Adoni
Local Government Area of Rivers State.
"The workers were on their way to NDDC road
construction site. Our troops repelled the attack and
defended the lives of the civilians they were escorting at
the expense of their lives.
"They stood by the creed of their profession by paying the
supreme sacrifice to ensure the safety of the civilian
workers."
Nwachukwu said the civilians sustained injuries and were
recuperating in hospital.
He added: "We are on the trail of the criminals, who must
be brought to justice. We urge the inhabitants of the area
to report any suspicious movement to law enforcement
agencies."