Ahamefula Ogbu and Segun James in Yenagoa
10 September 2008
Port Harcourt — All is no longer quiet along the Bayelsa waterways as the fragile peace existing between men of the Nigerian Army and militants operating in the creeks has snapped.
Early yesterday, an oil facility located at Sangana, in Brass Local Government Area of the state belonging to an indigenous oil company was invaded by militants.
And in Rivers State, no fewer than five expatriates of yet-to-be determined nationalities and eight Nigerians aboard a vessel named HD Blue Ocean were yesterday afternoon kidnapped when the vessel was hijacked while nearing the Sombriero River offshore.
The attack was said to have taken place at 14.30 hrs yesterday when the unidentified gunmen attacked the vessel and succeeded in overpowering it before taking it to an unknown destination suspected to be deeper into the mangroves.
About 30 workers of the indigenous company are said to have been held hostage by the invading warriors who are still aboard the facility as at press time last night.
THISDAY learnt that the development prompted the Commander of the Joint (Military) Task Force (JTF) to deploy a contingent of Naval troops in seven gun boats in the area.
But it could not be confirmed if there was any expatriate oil worker among the hostages.
The attack on the platform facility in Sangana, it was learnt, caught security operatives unawares as the militants were said to have virtually gone into hiding in the Brass area since the killing of two soldiers along the Nembe creeks in July.
Although it could not be confirmed which militant group carried out the attack, THISDAY gathered that the militants came in six speed boats around 6 am yesterday, surrounded the facility and disarmed the soldiers on guard duties.
They also ordered the immediate stoppage of the company's production activities.
Field Commander of JTF in the state, Lt. Col. Chris Musa, confirmed the report, saying "I have dispatched my men to the area."
However, he could not give details on the development.
"I am still expecting the report from them that is why; I can not say categorically what really happened," he said.
Activities of militants in Bayelsa have been at low ebb since July when two soldiers and some civilians were killed along the Nembe creeks.
The attack Rivers is coming on the heels of another report of an attack on Addax Okwori Field at 8 pm Monday when two speed boats attacked the field and succeeded in overpowering the security in a security vessel and those on the field before boarding the vessel named Polaris 8.
Security reports containing the information said no group has so far claimed responsibility for any of the attacks and the fate of those attacked by the suspected militants remain unknown.
The attack on HD Blue Ocean took place four nautical miles to the shore and 12 nautical miles North-west of the Bonny Fairway Buoy, which has in recent times become a haven of attacks on unescorted vessels.
"At about 1430hrs, HB Blue Ocean was attacked and hijacked at the entrance of the Sombriero River about four nautical miles to the shore and about 12 nautical miles North-west of the Bonny Fairway Buoy. Five expatriates and eight Nigerians have been confirmed to be on board the vessel when it was attacked ", the report said.
On the attack on Addax Okwori field, highly placed security sources said in a report: "At 8pm yesterday (Monday) gunmen in two speed boats attacked Addax Okwori field. The security on board the vessel and field could not repel them and they boarded a supply vessel, Polaris 8."
Attempts to confirm the attacks from the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) were unsuccessful as his phones could not be reached.
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Oh God! This is serious as I am from Sangana. Oh God! My people are finished.