4 NSCDC members shot dead by uniformed gunmen in Port Harcourt
Four members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), a paramilitary agency of the government, were on Monday shot dead at the installation at Omoku, near the oil hub of Port Harcourt.
Locals and security officials said on Wednesday that the NSCDC corps were manning Eni, a facility owned by an Italian group but managed by its Nigerian subsidiary, when they were attacked by gunmen clothed in military camouflage.
Speaking with AFP, NSCDC spokesman, Michael Oguntase said “the (security) operatives had engaged the gunmen in a fierce gun battle on realising that the intruders were not military men.”
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An Omoku community leader who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the tragic incident, adding that an uncertain number of NSCDC personnel were wounded.
“Dressed in camouflage, they came in a speed boat at about 6:40pm on Monday, exchanged gunfire with the operatives, leading to the death of four.”
The officials of the local subsidiary of Eni were reportedly yet to claim responsibility for the dead security officials.
Many pipelines and facilities controlled by oil companies, especially the likes of Shell, Chevron, Exxon, Eni and state-run NNPC have been attacked by various militant groups since the beginning of the year.
Prominent among these groups is the Niger Delta avengers responsible for many violent attacks in the south region of the country.
The attacks have grossly affected government revenue at a time of biting economic recession in Nigeria.
