Gunmen suspected to be pirates have killed four operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) around snake creek in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the gunmen ambushed the operatives on the waterway in the early hours of Friday, November 3, 2023.
A video seen online shows the remains of the dead NSCDC packed in a boat floating at the river bank.
Three of the officers were identified as Abdulaziz Jimah, Chibuzo and Chief Priest.
It was gathered that two of the victims had already been buried according to Islamic rites, while the bodies of the others were deposited at an undisclosed hospital mortuary.
The State Command of the NSCDC is yet to react to the incident.
Meanwhile, some publications had reported that the incident happened in Bakana community, Degema Local Government Area of the state.
However, the leadership of Bakana community under the authority of His Royal Highness, King Lawrence O.O. Odum Barboy, Paramount Ruler (Amabibi VIII, Odum Barboy IX), Amanyanabo of Bakana in Degema Local Government Area has debunked the report .
“The claim that the incident happened in Bakana is false and misleading. We are greatly displeased and disturbed that this unverified report has portrayed the Community in bad light,” the monarch said in a statement on Saturday, November 4.
“The alleged killing which security agencies could not authenticate its veracity did not happen within the Bakana territory. For the avoidance of doubt, there are no presence of NSCDC personnel in Bakana Community let alone its checkpoint that was allegedly attacked by hoodlums.
“It is instructive to state that Bakana has witnessed improved security in the recent time with our homegrown security measures which has significantly curb insecurity in our domain.
“It is therefore out of place and unacceptable for anyone to make such an unverified claim that 4 personnel of the NSCDC were allegedly killed in Bakana Community without verifying from the Leadership of the Community.
“We therefore advise the Media to always cross check their fact properly before going to press to avoid the negative effect of false and misleading information.”
