A Police patrol team

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

A security personnel was killed when a joint security team consisting of the army, police and DSS came under heavy gunfire while conducting a patrol on Friday at Egi in Omoku Community of Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The patrol team was  attacked by unidentified gunmen.

In a statement,  Captain Eli Lazarus, Assistant Director Army Public Relations of 2 Brigade of Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, said : ”The criminals engaged the security team for several hours before they were eventually dislodged.

“Sadly, a security agent lost his life in the unfortunate incident. Reinforcement has been sent to beef up security in the area and normalcy has been restored.

“The general public is hereby advised to remain calm and be law abiding throughout the election period and beyond as security agents will continue to work assiduously to ensure security of lives and property”.

Lazarus did not identify the person killed and the security arm that he belonged.

This was the  second attack on security personnel in two days in Rivers state. The  Army lost two  soldiers, including a major on Thursday in Abonnema in Akuku-Toru high seas.

* Ofiebor,the author can be reached at: [email protected]