Tragedy struck in Bakana community in Rivers State as four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were reportedly killed by suspected sea pirates.
It was gathered that the gunmen laid an ambush for the officers in order to perfect their devilish act.
According to a resident who spoke in confidence on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the ugly incident occurred in the early hours of Friday.
The resident said the officers were shot dead on the Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area by sea pirates.
“Two of the victims who are Muslims have already been buried according to Islamic rites,” the eyewitness added.
Reacting, the spokesman of NSCDC in Rivers, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, who did not admit or deny the killing, said the command would issue a statement as more facts unfold.
Meanwhile, a fire outbreak at Ile Oba-Ologun iIta-Amadu area of Ilorin, in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State capital, on Friday destroyed property worth N27.8 million.
The fire incident, which occurred at about 17:00hrs (05:00PM), gutted a building of about two flats and six rooms as a result of a power surge, according to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hakeem Adekunle, in Ilorin on Saturday.
He said firefighters arrived at the location and swiftly initiated operations to suppress the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
“Through the use of specialized equipment and firefighting techniques, the fire service personnel worked diligently to bring the situation under control.
“Six rooms were affected in the building, however, the firemen were able to perform excellently well to minimize the damage, therefore other flats in the building including many tangible properties were saved from the fire,” he added.
The Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the citizens to always cultivate the habit of switching off their electrical appliances even before bedtime.
He explained that “it would help them to prevent the chances of fire outbreaks in their various homes, and also help them to drastically reduce it.”