Suspected pirates have claimed the lives of four NSCDC operatives in Rivers

At least four Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers have been slain by gunmen operating along the Bakana River in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The gunmen are thought to be maritime pirates.

Although the specifics of the confrontation between the NSCDC agents and the sea pirates remain unknown at the time this report is filed, users of Rivers State waterways have reported an increase in the frequency of deadly pirate attacks.

Passengers were reported to be regularly abducted by the armed pirates and held for ransom.

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Along the canals, they also stole merchandise, products, and boat engines from their owners.

The four NSCDC policemen who were shot and killed by the assailants are still unidentified.

However, images and videos purportedly circulating throughout the state show the dead Civil Defence Corps members inside a speedboat that is anchored beside a river.

A source in the neighbourhood told PM News that two of the deceased officers were Muslims. They have therefore been buried in accordance with Islamic customs.

However, neither the state’s Police Command nor the Rivers State Command of the NSCDC had responded to the incident as of the time this article was filed, nor had its spokespeople returned calls.