Gunmen Kill Major, Soldier In Shootout

A Major in the Nigerian Army and two other soldiers were killed, yesterday, during a gun battle with unknown gunmen in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the major and the soldiers succumbed to various degrees of gunshot injuries sustained during the encounter that occurred, yesterday morning.
Our source said that the soldiers were ambushed by heavily armed hoodlums on their way to Kula in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
The killings come barely 48 hours to the National and State Assembly rerun elections scheduled to hold in the state, tomorrow.
In a reaction yesterday, the Nigerian Army confirmed the killing of two soldiers in the state by some gunmen.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Capt. Elli Lazarus, who confirmed the deaths in Port Harcourt, said that a major and one soldier were killed after an exchange of gunfire with suspected sea pirates in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
He said, “At about 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, troops on patrol in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, had a fierce encounter with a group of unknown gunmen suspected to be sea pirates.
“Our men displayed extraordinary gallantry, but unfortunately, an officer and a soldier who sustained various degrees of injury during the encounter, lost their lives.
“We are currently in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely apprehend them,” he said.