By Onome Oghenetega
At least four naval ratings have been reportedly shot death by suspected sea pirates at Agge, a coastal community boundary Bayelsa and Delta States.
The hoodlums also reportedly kidnapped three expatriates during an attack on a vessel conveying some expatriates and Nigerian nationals.
The incident, reliable security sources told NIGER DELTA TODAY, happened at about 10pm on Thursday.
It was gathered that the deceased naval personnel are said to be drawn from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.
They were said to be escorting the vessel carrying the kidnapped expatriates when they were ambushed by the armed pirates.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy is yet to react to the incident as sources claimed a manhunt has been launched for the killers.
Repeated efforts to speak with the commander of NNS Delta, Mr Ibrahim Dewu on the incident proved abortive as repeated calls and SMS to his line went unanswered.
But sources at the Warri Naval Base where the killed ratings were attached before the attack confirmed the incident but declined to give further details.
Details later