Three soldiers and four civilians were among the seven persons killed, Wednesday evening by a militant group suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), when the gang attacked a houseboat between Omadino and Ifiekporo, Warri South Local Government Area, of Delta State.According to The Sun, the attack recorded the first set of casualties in the renewed hostilities in Delta creeks which have in turn raised tension and apprehension in the area.
The three soldiers, according to reports were on guard at oil installations when they were attacked. The four civilians who died in the attack, two males and two females were domestic staff contracted to oversee the welfare of the soldiers.
The Commanding Officer (CO) 3 Battalion Effurun Barracks, Major Monday Anzaku, when contacted on his mobile phone promised to call back but has not.
However, an inside military source, who spoke in animosity, confirmed the attack. He said two soldiers and five civilians were killed while several others were injured in the unprovoked attack.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Success Obere, at the Central Hospital where the corps were deposited midnight Wednesday, confirmed that military men and civilians were brought to the morgue but could not give the exact figure.
No report of death has been heard on the side of the militant group. Reports have it that the militants came through Omadino creek to Ifiekporo area were they carried out the attack.
A student of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Richard Ebiayaidou, lamented the untimely death of his 26 -year- old brother, Tombra Iwoboibi, who he said was a cook attached to the house before the unfortunate incident.
Richard said that Tombra hails from Odimodi, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
“I feel sad. I am weighed down. To me, I don’t know what Niger Delta Avengers want. They said they are fighting with the Federal government because they don’t want them to rest. But I see no reason why they should attack houseboat and killed civilians.
“I will appeal that the Federal Government should approach this issue with caution, so that we do not continue to lose our loved ones. The creeks are filled with soldiers. We can’t move freely again and there is nowhere to go,” he said.
