9JA NEWS: Militants attack vessel, kill three security escorts in Bayelsa

Barely three weeks after an ambush on a military houseboat that killed two in Southern Ijaw creeks in Bayelsa, suspected militants have attacked a tugboat in the same area and killed three crew members.

Suspected Niger Delta militants had on August 28 ambushed a houseboat operated by the Joint Task Force and killed a soldier and a civilian crew member.

An oil services vessel with a combined team of security escort on board and civilians was attacked on Friday by suspected sea pirates at Ekebiri Waterways in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa.

Two of the victims of the incident which occurred on Friday were security escorts and a civilian crew member of the tugboat towing a vessel.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said one police operative was still missing as his remains had yet to be recovered.

He said a response team dispatched to the crime scene rescued eight occupants of the ill-fated boat while efforts are underway to arrest the armed men