According to reports, The gunmen, who outnumbered the soldiers, forced the servicemen to surrender, marched them to a creek, executed them and stole their weapons and military gear.
A civilian boat driver with the military detachment attempted to escape but was also shot and killed by the attackers.
Nigeria’s oil-rich south and southeast had been ravaged by violence orchestrated by groups seeking to force the government to more evenly share petroleum revenues with local residents.
Tare Porri, a local youth leader, confirmed the killings.
“(The attack) was bizarre and unprovoked,” said Porri, chairman of the Central Zone of Ijaw Youths Council. “Four military officers were killed in cold blood alongside a civilian. Military officers went to Letugbene community and on their way back, some persons accosted them and killed all of them,” he told AFP.
“Only one of them escaped. The military, yesterday morning, retaliated, invaded the communities and burnt down houses. The operations are still ongoing and it is spreading to other communities,” Porri added.
A senior security official confirmed the incident and denounced the increased level of violence against security forces.
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