The Bayelsa Government on Sunday condemned and demanded an investigation of the attack on an oil services vessel on Friday that left three crewmen comprising two security escorts dead in Ikebiri waterways in the state.

The government said that report at its disposal indicate that a Police officer, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and a civilian crew member in the ill-fated vessel lost their lives in the attack.

The government, which conveyed its position in a statement issued by Commissioner for Information, Mr Jonathan Obuebite, described as criminal act.

Obuebite expressed his sadness and disappointment over the incident stating that it is sad, uncalled for, and unacceptable.

According to him, on September 22, 2017 at about 06:45, a Tugboat towing a Barge with a combined team of security escort and civilians onboard, was attacked by suspected sea pirates at Ekebiri Waterways in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was attacked.

Obuebite stated there was no justificaion for crime and criminality in the state, in the face of ongoing transformation that is being initiated by the Seriake Dickson-led government.

He explained that it is obvious that the attack was purely an act of criminality, deliberately carried out to rubbish the security and peace efforts of the government by some disgruntled elements operating under the guise of sea pirates.

It will be recalled that gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants had on August 28 ambushed a houseboat operated by the Joint Task Force and killed a soldier and a civilian crew member.

The Commissioner expressed the sympathy of the state government to the immediate families of the deceased police officer, NSCDC Personnel, the civilian, the Bayelsa State commands of NSCDC and Nigeria Police.

He therefore called for a comprehensive investigation to identify those behind the act with a view to ensuring that anybody found guilty is brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

“To us as a government, we have taken a stand to not only curb crime and criminality in the state, but to flush it out entirely and that is not negotiable.

“We would not fold our arms and allow few miscreants to tamper with the peace and security we have laboured to bring to our state,” the Commissioner said.

Obuebite prayed God to give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss and also prayed for the quick recovery of others who sustained injuries in the attack.

He also called on people of Bayelsa to remain calm and continue to support the efforts of the governor in securing the state.

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