Gunmen Kill Three Soldiers, Four Civilians in Bayelsa, Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Gunmen suspected to be pirates have killed three soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) in a gun duel at Letugbene, Ekeremor, Bayelsa State, it was learnt monday.

The killings came as four persons were also feared killed in two separate attacks in Plateau State last Saturday and Sunday by unknown gunmen.

It was gathered that one of the gunmen was also killed in a surprised attack on the Tunu Flow Station belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Letugbene.

The hoodlums operating in four speedboats reportedly tried to invade the flow station on Sunday at about 6a.m.

But the soldiers guarding the oil platform engaged them in a gun duel and succeeded in warding off the attack, although three of them were killed and few others injured in the attack.

Though authorities of the JTF failed to comment on the attack, a security source confirmed that four persons, including three military personnel, were killed in the incident.

“The soldiers were deployed to guard the SPDC flow station in the area. They engaged the youths in a shootout while trying to stop an invasion of the flow station,” he said.

Meanwhile, four people were feared killed in two separate attacks in Plateau State last Saturday and Sunday by unknown gunmen.
On Saturday, in a village of Arangai, Mangu Local Government Area, a meat seller, Baba Likita, was killed alongside two other men from Ampang West of the same Mangu council area.

Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) on security in the state, Major Adam Umar, also confirmed another incident in Fan district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area where one person at Ktachudu village was ambushed and slaughtered by 9p.m. last Sunday.

Umar said on hearing the distress call, the personnel of OPSH who were on routine patrol, quickly mobilised to the scene, but the unknown attackers had left the scene of the incident before they got there.

He said the troops were working hand in hand with the police to get to the root of the matter as they were intensifying investigation to unravel the mystery behind the killing.

On the killings in Mangu, Umar said the personnel there had not contacted him, adding that he was going to make contacts so that he could confirm the story, adding that the network that was fluctuating was compounding the issue.

He, however, said the troops in conjunction with other security agencies were on top of the situation, adding that all the attacks always took place in isolated locations especially in the bush where help was not easily available.

In a related development, last Sunday night at Bauchi Road and Nasarawa Gwom both in Jos North Local Government Area, there was a serious tension as a result of activities of a deadly group known as Sarasuka which had an encounter with another equally deadly group which led to the destruction of property while some members of the groups were injured.

Umar, who also confirmed the operations of the groups, said the groups wanted to disrupt the hard-earned peace the people had been enjoying in the state, especially during the Sallah celebration.

He said his men got prompt information and quickly mobilised to the scene and succeeded in arresting some of the members, including the gang leader, while investigation is ongoing.

“Some vehicles of innocent people were bashed and vandalised. The situation is however calm now as there is free movement of citizens and vehicles,” Umar added

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