Gun Men In Military Uniform Kill Three Soldiers In Rivers State

Gunmen Masquerade As Soldiers, Attack Obonoma Community

Three soldiers in the Obonoma community in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have been shot dead by unknown gunmen who feigned as military men.

The gunmen, who allegedly dressed in military uniform, invaded the Samson Jack military checkpoint in the community around 8pm and opened fire on the soldiers.

Apart from the three soldiers killed by the hoodlums, several others were said to have been injured.

A source told Punch on Sunday that the gunmen came on two motorcycles and operated for a little over a minute before fleeing the scene.

The source explained, “The incident happened yesterday (Saturday) night and I gathered that some people in the area were living in fear because of the possibility of reprisal. The criminals, I gathered, were in military uniform.

“They came on two motorcycles and when they got close to the military checkpoint, known as the Samson Jack military checkpoint, they opened fire on the soldiers there. It was something that was unexpected.”

Condemning the attack on the soldiers, the Amananyabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel, said such an action could not have been carried out by his people, whom he described as peace-loving and not capable of attacking soldiers.

The Chairman, Obonoma Council of Chiefs, High Chief Phillip Agu, expressed shock at the incident and added that his people were now living in fear.

Agu urged the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army to caution its men, as some soldiers were said to have unleashed mayhem on the community.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, proved abortive, as calls to his mobile telephone did not connect, while a text message sent to him was not replied.

It was later gathered that the 6 Division would soon issue a statement on the killings.

Meanwhile, Naija News understands that the state has since the election period, known some degree of violence and unrest, ranging from kidnaps, fights, and killings.

Recall that exactly a week ago, troops of 6 Division on election duty were attacked by suspected hoodlums in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.