Suspected pirates have killed an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa State in an ambush in the creeks of Ogbobiri community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The pirates reportedly laid ambush on the personnel of the corps on surveillance duty on their way back from patrol.

Mr. Desmond Agu, Bayelsa Commandant of NSCDC who confirmed the incident on Sunday described it as unfortunate and 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. He maintained that the command was determined and motivated to deal with criminals.

“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 in 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.

•Photo shows sea pirates.

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