Tension as Suspected Oil Thieves Kill Nigerian Soldier in Bayelsa

A Nigerian soldier has been killed in Bayelsa State, by gunmen suspected to be oil thieves.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the soldier, who was on surveillance duty, was shot dead on Monday afternoon and his AK-47 rifle carted away, in Apoi Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The killing, according to NAN, occurred in the bush between the boundary of Apoi and Azuzuama communities, where there is an oil pipeline.

The leadership of the Apoi Clan in Southern Ijaw have condemned the killing, describing it as “barbaric and inhuman”.

Fidelis Duba, a community leader in Apoi Clan, said the killing of the soldier could trigger retaliation from the military.

Mr Duba, who vowed that the clan would work with security agencies to fish out those responsible for the killing, called on hoodlums operating in the Apoi Creek and other areas to desist from their nefarious activities.

NAN