An official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has been killed by suspected pirates in the creeks of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.

The operatives were on a surveillance duty at Ogbobiri community when they came under attack by the suspected sea pirates who had reportedly laid an ambush for them.

Desmond Agu, Bayelsa Commandant of NSCDC confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate but he restated the commitment of his command in protecting critical assets of the government against sabotage.

He said that the pirates would not go unpunished, and would be apprehended and prosecuted adding that his men gave a good account of themselves despite the ambush.

“My men of the anti-vandal unit on surveillance duty were ambushed at Ogbobiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. They were ambushed on their way back by sea pirates. One of them was killed. The incident happened on Friday at about 23.15
hours. We have recovered the body.” Agu said.

A source from the NSCDC command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the commandant had deployed them to oil-bearing communities in the state following the activities of militants in the area.

The source said, “The team had conducted their daily surveillance and were on their way back when unexpectedly, some gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, opened fire on them.

“The men fired back but because it was an ambush, one of them was killed,” he said, adding that the gunmen must have also suffered casualties.

It was further learnt that the deceased was an indigene of Okodi in Ogbia LGA of the state.

Local divers were said to have recovered the corpse of the killed officer.