Gunmen in southern Nigeria stormed a security vessel working for Canada's Addax Petroleum today, killing one navy seaman and injuring several others before being repelled by military reinforcements.
Attackers in speedboats ambushed the vessel with eight navy seamen on board as they travelled from the Calabar area near Nigeria's southeastern border with Cameroon towards Rivers state in the Niger Delta, home to Africa's biggest oil industry.
Navy spokesman Henry Babalola said the gunmen were initially repelled and two of their boats sunk after an exchange of gunfire. But he said the attackers later regrouped and came back in six speedboats to board the vessel.
"About 56 militants boarded the vessel, but they were later dislodged when we got reinforcements and they dispersed into the surrounding creeks," Babalola said. "We have cordoned off the area and are searching for the militants."
Addax said one navy seamen had been killed and four other navy personnel and crew injured while defending the vessel, which had been contracted to provide security services. It said the attack began shortly before midnight on Sunday night.
"We are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family and those of the injured personnel," Addax president and chief executive officer Jean Claude Gandur said in a statement.
"We strongly believe that this unfortunate incident was a premeditated act by criminal elements seeking personal benefit."
A senior state security official earlier said three naval personnel and one civilian were injured, while one seaman was missing, presumed dead, after going overboard as shots were exchanged.