Suspected gunmen reportedly ambushed and killed four members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) near Snake Creek in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The tragic incident occurred on the waterway in the early hours of Friday, November 3, 2023.

A video circulating online depicts the lifeless bodies of the NSCDC personnel found on a boat floating by the riverbank.

Among the deceased officers, three were identified as Abdulaziz Jimah, Chibuzo, and Chief Priest.

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According to reports, two of the victims have already been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites, while the bodies of the others have been deposited at an undisclosed hospital mortuary.

As of now, the State Command of the NSCDC has not issued an official response regarding the incident.

It’s worth noting that some earlier publications had stated that the attack took place in Bakana community, Degema Local Government Area of the state.

However, the leadership of Bakana community, under the authority of His Royal Highness, King Lawrence O.O. Odum Barboy, Paramount Ruler (Amabibi VIII, Odum Barboy IX), Amanyanabo of Bakana in Degema Local Government Area, has refuted these reports.

In a statement released on Saturday, November 4, the monarch stated, “The claim that the incident happened in Bakana is false and misleading.

We are greatly displeased and disturbed that this unverified report has portrayed the Community in a bad light.

The alleged killing, which security agencies could not authenticate its veracity, did not happen within the Bakana territory.”

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The statement continued, “It is instructive to state that Bakana has witnessed improved security in the recent time with our homegrown security measures, which has significantly curbed insecurity in our domain.

It is therefore out of place and unacceptable for anyone to make such an unverified claim that four personnel of the NSCDC were allegedly killed in Bakana Community without verifying from the Leadership of the Community.”