JTF foils attack on Elf’s vessel

Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 30.05.2008

A vessel working with Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (EPNL), late Wednesday narrowly escaped a suspected sea pirates’ attack on the Bonny waterway in Rivers State.

This is even as a local chief was reported killed by unknown gunmen in his home in one of the communities of Bonny Local Government Area of the state.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the attempted attack on the vessel, which occurred at about 10.00 p.m., happened at about three nautical miles west of Bonny Fairway Bouy.

According to the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, the attack was foiled by men of the JTF, who reportedly overpowered the hoodlums.

“The attack was successfully repelled by the naval component of JTF on board the vessel and there was no casualty on the side of JTF,” Musa said.

Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the killing of one Chief Idala Pollyn of Kalaibiama in the Bonny Local Government Area on Wednesday.

According to a message from the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, the victim was shot dead by unknown persons while eating with others at the back of his house.