Off the wire
• Crude prices jump amid supply worries  • Nigerian defense warns against attacks on oil facilities  • Blast rocks Israeli army checkpoint, 1 officer wounded  • 2 suspected shooters arrested in Sudan's Darfur  • Croatia supports Albania entering EU  • 2 soldiers charged in Zambia ritual murders  • Zambia gov't says won't amend law governing public gatherings  • Feature: China's Xiamen Airlines miniature plane lands at Dutch theme park  • Zambia's registered voters hit 6.7 million  • Low oil price, new routes boost Emirates Airline's profit by 56 pct  
You are here: 　 Home

Suspected sea pirates kill three Nigerian soldiers: army

Xinhua, May 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least three soldiers were killed in a gun duel with suspected sea pirates and militants in the Niger Delta, a military spokesperson said Tuesday.

Col. Isa Ado, Spokesman of the Joint Military Force deployed to protect oil facilities in the Niger Delta told reporters in oil rich city of Yenegoa that the incident occurred on Monday night.

Ado said the shooting took place in Foropa, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, where troops had been stationed since 2010.

He said the military patrol team was attacked by a combined team of suspected militants and sea pirates, but that the team fought gallantly to ward off the attack.

According to him, the location came under fierce attack and three soldiers, who were hit by bullets, died on their way to the hospital.

"There were so many casualties on the side of the militants, but we cannot precisely know the number," he added.

Ado said the morale of the troops remains high and the sacrifices of these soldiers shall never be in vain.

"We remain resolute in our determination to stamp out oil theft and illegalities in the Niger Delta region," he said, noting that these soldiers gave their lives for peace in the Niger Delta. Endit