Suspected sea pirates have killed three soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, in a gun duel.
It was learnt that one of the pirates was also killed in the attack on the Tunu flowstation belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company in the Letugbene area of Bayelsa State.
The suspected pirates were said to have attempted to invade the flowstation on Sunday around 6am.
But the soldiers guarding the oil platform reportedly prevented the attack after a gun battle, with three of them killed and others injured.
Although JTF declined comment on the attack, a security source said, “The soldiers were deployed in the SPDC Tuna flowstation. They engaged the sea pirates in a shootout to stop an attack on the flowstation.”
There has been a conflict between Letugbene community and the SPDC over the ownership of the land occupied by the flowstation.
On July 30, 2012, the Bayelsa State High Court, presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, declared Letugbene community owner of the land and areas bordering the platform after more than 18 years of trial.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: theeditor@punchng.com
Post A Comment:
0 comments so far,add yours