Pirates attack Agip workers, kill three in Bayelsa

Tragedy has befallen the Nigerian Agip Oil Company as pirates attacked and killed three of its workers around the Clough Creek waterways, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Our correspondent gathered that one of the deceased, Mr. Hector Abbey, drowned after jumping into the water in a bid to escape from the bandits.

The boat of the workers, identified as MV Terra, was said to have been ambushed by the gunmen when it was heading for the firm’s Clough Creek flow station.

It was gathered that the boat was not being escorted by security operatives when it was attacked.

The remains of Abbey have been deposited at a private mortuary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while the driver of the boat was said to be receiving medical treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

The assailants were said to have attacked their victims at about 6 pm on Thursday.

They were said to have double-crossed the workers, who were travelling in a speedboat and opened fire on the driver.

Abey, 42, out of panic, was said to have jumped into the water, but was unable to swim safely to the shores.

While his remains were later recovered later by local divers, two other persons have been declared missing.

The Joint Task Force codenamed, Operation Pulo Shield, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

JTF’s Media Coordinator, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the workers were travelling without an escort when the incident happened.

He, however, said only one person drowned while trying to escape from the bandits.