The Bayelsa Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday said its officials deployed to protect oil facilities at Ikarama community shot in self-defence when attacked by community youths.

Mr Godwin Nwachukwu, Bayelsa Commandant of NSCDC, said in Yenagoa that the operation was within the rules of engagement of the corps.

He said that the command had acted in response to reports of increased sabotage on oil facilities and deployed men to arrest suspects behind the vandalism.

He said that members of the community had ambushed men of the NSCDC who were on their legitimate duties at the oilfields.

“My men acted in self-defence, and it is our mandate to protect oil facilities, they were attacked and the metal bridge that serves as exit was demobilised to trap my men,

“In an effort to escape, my men fired some shots in the air to scare them away, no one was shot,” he declared.

Reacting on the reports that NSCDC operatives allegedly shot a neighbourhood watch member in Ikarama, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Nwachukwu said that the command arrested and questioned a woman who was with a suspect.

“My men went to arrest a suspect who escaped, so they arrested the woman who was with him, we interrogated her and released her,” he said

It will be recalled that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

Chief Richard Seiba, traditional ruler of Ikarama in his reaction to the alleged shooting of one Mr Perekurofa Odoyibo, he alleged that NSCDC officials shot him and he’s currently receiving medical attention.

“What the Civil Defence people did was regrettable, they shot the boy twice in the arm and leg, I have just visited him and he is in pains,” the monarch said.