Ambush in Rivers State Claims Soldiers and Civilians, Two Foreign Workers Kidnapped
In a brazen attack on a convoy linked to an oil services firm, gunmen struck in Nigeria’s Rivers State on Tuesday. The assault left four soldiers dead and resulted in the abduction of two foreign workers, while details indicated other casualties among drivers and service personnel involved in the operation along the East-West road near Ahoada and Abua.
Armed Forces spokesman Major Jonah Danjuma issued a formal statement later in the day, describing the incident as a calculated ambush against a convoy belonging to an oil services company. The attack occurred on a corridor critical to the region’s oil industry, a route used by multiple service providers who support offshore and onshore exploration, maintenance, and logistics activities. Security forces immediately deployed to the scene and began a comprehensive search to locate the missing workers and to identify those responsible for the attack.
The two foreigners who were taken away were reported to be employees of Daewoo Engineering and Construction, a South Korean firm that has active projects in Nigeria. They were traveling with Nigerian soldiers assigned to protect staff during routine work commutes. The chaotic hours that followed saw conflicting accounts of casualties, with some sources noting additional fatalities among drivers who attempted to respond to the ambush, while the official military statement did not confirm those particular deaths. In the narrative provided by security officials, the attackers opened fire on the convoy and executed the kidnappings before vanishing into surrounding communities and the mangrove-lined outskirts of the delta region.
Danjuma urged the public to provide credible intelligence that could help authorities arrest those responsible for this act of violence. The official call emphasized that community assistance remains a pivotal element in tracking down criminals who target security personnel and critical infrastructure in the Niger Delta area. The spokesman stressed that investigators would pursue every lead to secure the safe return of the kidnapped workers and to bring the perpetrators to justice, stressing the seriousness with which the defense and security establishments treat such incidents.
Rivers State, located in the Niger River Delta, is one of Nigeria’s major economic zones thanks to its substantial crude oil reserves. The region has long been a focal point of protests from groups seeking greater autonomy and increased investment from the federal government. Security forces, including civilian-military collaborations, have repeatedly engaged with militants in attempts to safeguard oil installations, pipelines, and associated infrastructure from sabotage. The current incident underscores the continued volatility in the area, where the defense and regional authorities say that the fight to protect energy assets remains urgent and ongoing. The situation also highlights the broader risks faced by oil workers who operate in volatile environments where security conditions can shift quickly and unpredictably. At present, officials are coordinating with regional partners to ensure an expedited search operation and to minimize the risk to other personnel in the field. Inquiries continue as investigators gather testimonies and review surveillance that may illuminate how this attack unfolded and who orchestrated it. The public response calls for calm and patience while security services pursue a swift and accountable resolution, ensuring the safety of workers who contribute to the country’s energy sector and the communities that rely on its stability. The incident has added to concerns about the sustainability of oil production in the delta and the ongoing need for robust protection measures for both local staff and expatriate employees who work across Nigeria’s inland and coastal areas. [Citation: Nigerian authorities and regional press reports]