SUSPECTED youths of Sangana Community in Brass Council, Bayelsa State yesterday invaded the platform of Conoil, holding hostage six mobile policemen on guard and other staff of the company over undisclosed issues.
The armed youths were reportedly dressed in military camouflage and shot sporadically into the air as they approached the oil platform in six speedboats. As at the time of the report, none of the security sources contacted could confirm the fate of the held policemen.
However, the security networks of the Navy, the Joint Military Task Force code named the Operation Restore Hope and the State Police Command yesterday expressed concern over the safety of the policemen and other staff held hostage.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday threw many officials of the state government off guard, as many of them, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Gideon Ekiowei, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ola Doiefe, could not give explanation for the attack.
But the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force in the state, Lt.-Col. Chris Musa, told The Guardian that they had received the news of the incident and that due to the absence of a military unit in the area, they would not be able to offer details on the incident.
Musa, who expressed confidence that the security network in the state would resolve the situation, said that the JTF was waiting for reports from the Navy that had moved to the area in the afternoon.
He said all that would be done is to ensure that they dislodge the youths.