Gunmen Attack Military Base In Bayelsa State

Gunmen have attacked a military base at Kolo Creek in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state, killing a civilian guard. The Punch reports that the bandits, who operated in a sports utility vehicle (SUV), stormed the army post, shot dead a guard and stole some arms and ammunition.

It was learnt that the military post is stationed in the area to guard an oilfield operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company.

A security source, who pleaded for anonymity, said:

“What we learnt was that the gunmen came in an SUV, stopped close to the army post, walked majestically into the post, and dismantled the General Purpose Machine Gun.

“They took the GPMG, rifles, ammunition, got in their vehicle and zoomed off. They probably killed the civilian guard because they suspected that he recognized them.”

Shortly after the attack, he corpse of the deceased, identified as Austin Igwe, was reportedly evacuated by police officers from Ogbia Division and troops of the Operation Pulo Shield. Later it was deposited in a mortuary.

One of relatives of the victim who visited the crime scene said:

“We heard that unidentified gunmen had attacked Shell facility and shot our brother dead; we got here and found out that it was true.

“The pain is too much to bear. This is tragedy for us. I am short of words.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of Ijaw Youth Council, Ogbia Clan, Osanya B. Osanya, confirmed the attack and called on security agencies to be vigilant, especially in view of the upcoming elections in Bayelsa state.

According to him, some politicians are so desperate that they can do anything to win elections, including sponsoring violence and bloodshed.

“The leadership under my watch will as a matter of importance partner with security agencies to rid our council of criminality. We also advise our youths to be at alert and not allow some politicians to use them as willing tools to destroy our council,” he added.

Earlier this week, unknown gunmen suspected to be armed robbers raided a branch of First Bank in Ikot Abasi Urban, Akwa Ibom state, and carted away an undisclosed amount of money.