Rivers :Major,two soliders killed in shootout with gunmen

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of two soldiers in Rivers.

The killings come barely 48 hours to the National and State Assembly rerun elections scheduled to hold in the state on Saturday.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Capt. Elli Lazarus, confirmed the deaths to the News Agency of Nigeria reports in Port Harcourt.

He said that a major and one soldier were killed after an exchange of gunfire with suspected sea pirates in Abonema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

He said, “At about 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, troops on patrol in Abonema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers, 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.

Lazarus, however, urged residents of the state to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation.

He assured them that the army had made necessary arrangements to ensure sustainable peace and security of lives and properties before, during and after the parliamentary elections in the state.