Gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants on Monday attacked the Nigerian Customs Service Base in Oron, Akwa Ibom state killing an officer and going away with 10 rifles.

A source who disclosed this information to Premium Times, said the gunmen attacked the base at about 9pm yesterday.

According to the source, Esin Ufot, a fishing community in Oron Local Government Area where the Nigerian Customs Marine Base is located has come under consistent attacks by the hoodlums.

“The so-called militants attacked the Nigerian Customs Marine office in Oron and killed one officer, injured anther and went away with 10 rifles”,the source said.

Another source who spoke with media outfit, said that the militants were becoming more bold by the day and have been wreaking havoc in many communities in the riverine area.

According to him, the militants have raided the police station, the Nigerian Immigrations Barracks and key fishing settlements in the area.“The situation is becoming very critical nowadays as the militants now attack security operatives and local fishermen alike.

“The other day, they ransacked a police station and later they attacked an Immigrations Base.

“From Oron waterway to Uta Ewa in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, the militants have been robbing and killing people almost on a daily basis.“The last time it happened here in Oron they invaded and over powered the marine police and carted away their arms while the policemen fled for their lives”,the source said.

The source however noted that the senator representing the area in the National Assembly would soon raise a motion of urgent national importance to draw attention to the menace.

Confirming the attack, the commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom state, Gabriel Achong said:

“Yes, it is true that militants attacked the Marine Base of the Nigerian Customs Service in Oron yesterday (Monday).

“It is also true that one Customs officer was killed and 10 rifles taken away by the militants.”Achong however said the Monday attack was an isolated case, denying there had been repeated attacks in the area.

The attack comes hours after it was reported that a group of gunmen kidnapped Madam Martha Binabo, the wife of former acting governor of Bayelsa state and currently House of reps member, Nestor Binabo.

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