Four Civil Defence officers shot dead by pirates in Rivers

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Four officers of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCD have been shot dead by gunmen suspected to be sea pirates along the Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The details and circumstances of the encounter between the Civil Defence operatives and the sea pirates are not available as at the time of writing this story.

Recent reports by users of waterways in Rivers indicated increased activities of attacks by deadly pirates.

The well-armed pirates frequently kidnapped passengers for ransom, while they also hijacked goods, wares and boat engines from their owners on the waterways.

The identities of the fallen NSCDC officers have also not been ascertained.

However, videos and photos showing the dead Civil Defence officers inside a speed boat anchored by a riverside have been circulating in Rivers.

A very reliable source told PM NEWS that two of the dead officers were Muslims and as such, they have been buried according to Islamic rites.

However, the Rivers Command of NSCDC has not yet reacted on the issue despite repeated attempts made to confirm the incident from the management of the organisation.