Reports indicate that a gunfight between sea pirates and Nigerian Navy personnel on Thursday, January 2, resulted in the tragic deaths of four security operatives who were part of a six-man Naval rescue squad.
According to a top Naval source speaking to Premium Times, the fatal attack occurred within the jurisdiction of NNS Delta, an operations base in Warri, under the Central Naval Command. The source alleged that four Naval ratings were killed in the confrontation.
The Nigerian Navy personnel were deployed to counter an attack by sea pirates on the MV AMBIKA, a Sterling Oil dredger close to Ramos River entrance.
Describing the incident, the source stated, “The suspected sea robbers had boarded the vessel and abducted three crew members (two Russians and one Indian), leaving behind five other crew members before the team arrived.”
Tragically, some of the Nigerian Navy personnel involved in the subsequent gunfight, including a Petty Officer, Able Seaman, Seaman, and an Ordinary Seaman, reportedly lost their lives. Two other personnel managed to escape unharmed while a vessel was stolen by the sea pirates.
The bodies of the deceased security operatives have been transported to the navy hospital in Warri, while efforts to rescue the three foreigners have been intensified.