KEY POINTS
- A DSS operative was killed and two others injured after suspected oil bunkering gang members attacked a security base in Imo State.
- Several civilians were reportedly killed, while houses were allegedly set ablaze during the assault.
- The attack has heightened tensions in the oil-rich Abacheke community, with residents fleeing over fears of further violence.
A suspected oil bunkering gang has launched a deadly attack on a security base in Abacheke community, located in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, killing a personnel of the Department of State Services, DSS, and injuring two others.
The violent assault, which occurred between late Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, reportedly triggered panic across the oil-producing community. Sources said the attackers, who were heavily armed, stormed a forward operational base occupied by DSS operatives and engaged security personnel in a fierce gun battle.
According to security sources, one DSS officer was killed during the exchange of fire, while two others sustained serious injuries and were rushed for medical attention.
Beyond the casualties among security personnel, the attack reportedly claimed the lives of several civilians, although the exact number remains unclear.
Some local accounts suggested that as many as eight people may have died in the incident, including the slain DSS operative. Witnesses also alleged that the attackers set several houses on fire, leaving residents terrified and forcing many to flee the area.
A security source familiar with the incident said the attack did not involve police personnel and was directed specifically at the DSS operational base.
Community Links Attack to Oil Bunkering Disputes
Residents of Abacheke believe the violence may be connected to ongoing disputes surrounding illegal oil bunkering activities in the area.
The community, situated in one of Imo State’s oil-producing zones, has long been plagued by clashes involving oil thieves, security agencies, and rival criminal groups competing for control of illicit crude oil operations.
One resident, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, claimed that tensions between suspected oil bunker operators and security personnel may have contributed to the attack.
According to the resident, many locals suspect the assailants were retaliating against enforcement actions targeting illegal crude oil activities.
The resident further alleged that disagreements over payments and crackdowns on illicit operations may have fuelled the violence. However, these claims remain unverified, and there is no official evidence linking the attack to such allegations.
The incident has left residents living in fear, with many reportedly abandoning their homes over concerns that the violence could escalate.
Community sources said commercial activities were largely paralysed on Saturday as businesses remained closed and residents stayed indoors. Security operatives were also said to have increased surveillance and patrols across the area to prevent further attacks.
The atmosphere of uncertainty has heightened concerns about the safety of residents in the region, particularly given the area’s history of violent confrontations linked to oil theft.
The attack has once again highlighted the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, where illegal crude oil refining and oil theft continue to fuel violent conflicts.
Oil-producing communities across Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states have frequently witnessed deadly clashes involving criminal networks, rival groups, and security agencies.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that oil theft and illegal refining operations are not only security threats but also major contributors to economic losses in the country.