An attack by Niger Delta militants on an oil facility operated by the Nigerian subsidiary of Italian group, Eni has left four members of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) dead and several others injured.
The NSCDC officers were part of the security team guarding the facility, which is located at Omoku, near Port-Harcourt.
Media sources say the gunmen stormed the facility dressed in military camouflage, but when the NSCDC officials discovered that they were not soldiers, they engaged them in a gunfight.
A community leader in Omoku, who did not want to be named, confirmed the incident.
“Dressed in camouflage, they came in a speed boat at about 6:40 pm on Monday, exchanged gunfire with the operatives, leading to the death of four,” he said.
He said an unspecified number of NSCDC personnel were wounded.