Suspected crude oil thieves kill 2 civil defence officers in Abia

NSCDC

Gunmen suspected to be involved in oil bunkering, have ambushed a patrol team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Obiakpu Obuzor Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, killing two officers and making away with their rifles.

News Band reliably gathered from a community source that the unfortunate incident occurred in February 25, 2025, at about 9am.

The deceased officers, identified as AIC Mohammed Bello Bako and CCE Justice Anyamele, were part of a six-man patrol team securing oil pipelines when they were ambushed by the armed criminals.

The attackers reportedly seized the officers’ AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 47-02736 and KAM-04171 before fleeing the scene.

The bodies of the slain officers have since been buried, while efforts by the NSCDC to track the assailants and recover the stolen weapons have so far been unsuccessful.

Though, unconfirmed source told News Band that one of the suspect was tracked to his hideout where a mobile phone belonging to one of the slain officer was recovered.

Currently, residents have deserted Obiakpu Obuzor community over fear of reprisal attack by security operatives.