Two soldiers were on Thursday killed during an exchange of gunfire with suspected sea pirates in the Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers state.
Elli Lazarus, assistant director, army public relations, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, confirmed the deaths in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“Around 11 am on Thursday, March 17, troops on patrol in Abonema, Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers, had a fierce encounter with a group of unknown gunmen suspected to be sea pirates,” the statement read.
“Our men displayed extraordinary gallantry, but unfortunately, an officer and a soldier who sustained various degrees of injury during the encounter, lost their lives.
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“We are currently in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely apprehend them.”
Lazarus, however, urged residents of the state to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation.
He said the army had made necessary arrangements to ensure sustainable peace and security of lives and properties.
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The incident occurred barely 48 hours to the national and state assembly rerun elections in Rivers.
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