The Headquarters Nigerian Army (NA) says troops of 6 Division killed six alleged political thugs and lost a lieutenant in an encounter with those it described as ‘hoodlums’ during election duty in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) Rivers State on Saturday.

The Army in a statement by Sagir Musa, its spokesperson said the attack which it claimed was pre-planned occurred in between Charles and Bob-Manuel’s compounds in Abonnema Town at about 1:00am on the 23rd February 2019.

“The attackers barricaded a major road into the town and laid an ambush in the adjoining built-up areas from where they opened fire on our unsuspecting troops when they attempted to remove the barricade.

“The gallant troops fought their way through the siege and in the process killed six of the assailants.  However, we lost a lieutenant in the encounter.

“ Preliminary investigation indicated that one Roland  Sekibo, – the Chairman Akuku Toru LGA, Omodo – the CSO Akuku Toru LGA and  Kenneth of Kula currently at large were the masterminds of the unexpected/ unprovoked attack.

“To this end, the NA strongly hereby states that perpetrators of this ambush will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the Army spokesperson said in the statement.