Seven Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) members were reportedly slain by highly armed suspected maritime pirates on the Bakana River in Rivers State’s Degema Local Government Area.
When the NSCDC men were assaulted by sea pirates, they were on a pipeline monitoring patrol on the river, around 12 kilometres from Bakana town.
Two sea pirates were evenly slain in a gun battle on Friday, according to reputable sources in the area who confirmed the occurrence to Channels Television on Sunday.
A Channels Television correspondent also saw a 29-second video recording of the murdered NSCDC personnel aboard a speed boat, with a voice naming each of them.
Two of the victims who were Muslims have since been buried in accordance to Islamic rites.
Though the NSCDC Command in Rivers State is yet to confirm the incident, a fisherman in the area told Channels Television that everyone in the boat conveying the NSCDC officials was killed.
When contacted, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the State, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, said the Command is currently gathering more information on the incident, adding that an official statement will be issued at the appropriate time.