Three soldiers and four civilians may have been killed by gunmen who abducted them on the Obieku water way in Bayelsa State after laying ambush on their boat in the wee hours of Saturday.

There are also reports that another gang of four attacked and injured two businessmen on the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road as they drove to the Port Harcourt Airport.

Besides, suspected militants hit Sagbema police station and took the life of an officer.

They fired gun shots to over-run the armoury, but the police over-powered them.

Commissioner of Police, Julian Okpaleke, confirmed the incident. He said security has been tightened with a curfew in place in the area. No arrest has been made.

Governor Timipre Sylva's Chief Press Secretary, Doifie Ola, claimed ignorance of development at press time.

However, state Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt. Colonel Chris Musa, confirmed that ''three of my men were travelling to Yenagoa from Odioma in mufti for administrative purpose when their speed boat was attacked by gunmen. We are ssearching for them."

Another account said the victims were drowned.

A source from the area narrated that his brother was in the boat when the attack took place, and that experts are still searching for those on board.

Travellers on Bayelsa water ways are gripped with fear with the renewed hostilities by militants; and the state government is also uncomfortable with an insurgency that has grown despite the peace treaty signed last December.

The identities of the soldiers are yet to be confirmed, including those of the civilians, among them the boat driver.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Suspected militants last week blew up a pipeline near Tebidaba flowstation belonging to Agip.

The latest attack in Port Harcourt sent residents of the area scampering for safety.

The victims, Ferdinald Nwankwo and Alfred Yusuf, are lying ill at an undisclosed hospital in the city following the bullet wounds they received.

The intention of the bandits was not known at press time, but they did not remove anything from the car.

Sources said the attackers trailed the men to a spot on the road and blocked their car with a four-wheel drive vehicle before opening fire on them.

The businessmen were on their way to Lagos for a meeting.

A source in the JTF said the incident is being investigated, and the police authorities have also vowed to track down the gunmen.

Port Harcourt has become a haven for criminals in recent times.