Members of Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group, were suspected to have ambushed a military houseboat and allegedly killed two soldiers at Efe-Ugbokodo area in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Wednesday evening.
A security source said the attack occurred around 6.30 p.m
“I cannot give you details of the incident but I can confirm to you that a military houseboat was attacked by suspected militants.
“I cannot confirm the number of causalities to you right now as details of the incident is still trickling in, but I am sure that later today, we would get details on the true position of things,” a military source added.
Majority of the soldiers were said to have gone on their different beats in the creeks and only two soldiers were guarding the houseboat when the militants struck.
The militants had issued fresh ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, said that the Federal Government must release the corpses of 10 pro-Biafra agitators till Friday, June 3. They promised to go after soldiers henceforth.
The militants also threatened to revenge “unprovoked” killing of pro-Biafra activists by the Nigerian army.
In a statement released on-line clarified that their determination to revenge the attack on the pro-Biafra supporters was reached after an emergency meeting organised by some leaders of different militant groups in ey pthe oil rich region.
The statement reads in part: “If Federal Government fails to release them (corpses) by Friday, June 3, 2016, they will hear from us from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Edo states.”
Precious Iyoyo, aka General Playboy, the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Democratic Front, and his colleague of the Concerned Militant Leaders, General Ben, stated that it was depressing to see the level of tastelessness displayed against the people. They showed their sympathy for Biafra agitation, continuing that they were aware of how members of MASSOB, the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Biafra Independent Movement were killed without provocation.
The militants promised to go after the Nigerian soldiers in a new manner, adding that the operation would be carried both on the sea and on the land.
General Ben had particularly said the government has simply declared war against innocent Nigerians.
“It is now war between the militants and security men. Since innocent and helpless citizens, especially from South-South and South East, have been marked for extinction, we will defend our people,” he said.
It is yet unclear whether the killing of the two soldiers is related to the threat.
