Three suspected militants arrested for killing soldiers

The Joint Military Task force on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of three of the suspected Niger Delta Avengers who killed four soldiers during an ambush at Nembe, Bayelsa.

Commander of the task force, Rear Adm. Joseph Okojie, said the military also recovered a cache of arms.

Okojie said that the raid, which was aimed at apprehending the masterminds of the attack on a military post at Nembe jetty, took place on August 13.

He said the troops located, raided and recovered several items from the suspects’ hideout in a camp in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

He said after series of coordinated patrols, the troops on August 22 engaged the criminals in a shoot out at about 2 p.m.

The commander explained that some of the militants were believed to have been killed while three others were arrested.

He said the troops also recovered arms, ammunition and the gunboat that was carted away from the Nembe attack of August 8.

The task force commander said that in the mop-up operation on the militants’ camp at Epebu Creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, troops recovered nine AK 47 rifles, one FN magazine, one container of gunpowder and 1,145 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

He listed other recovered arms to include 2,485 rounds of 7.62mm ball Cartons, 370 rounds of 7.62mm and 1,356 rounds x7.62mm NATO ammunition.

Okojie noted that the joint task force conducted the operation professionally without any collateral damage.

He said, “We shall continue to sustain this approach in line with global best practices

“It would be recalled that on Aug. 8 at about 9:30 a.m. at Nembe, four soldiers were killed by some criminal elements suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers who disguised as people coming from Burial parties.

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that no criminal would go free, wherever they are, be rest assured we will get them and ensure they face justice.

“Let me reaffirm the commitment of the joint task force Operation Delta Safe and its resolve to ensure peace and economic stability in the Niger Delta region.”

The commander said there were windows of opportunity provided by the Federal Government for amicable resolution of grievances by any aggrieved groups rather than engage in heinous crimes of self help.

He said, “They should seize the opportunity and embrace peace or face full wrath of the law.

“In the same vein, those misguided elements that bear the unachievable and unfortunate message of disunity through declaration of imaginary independence must have a rethink.

“The joint task force believes these unscrupulous elements have ample time and opportunities to channel their grievances properly.”

He, therefore, urged all law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses, saying, “we will do all within our limit to ensure safe water ways for legitimate business.

“I solicit for cooperation from members of the public in providing timely information as we continue to fish out these criminal from their hideout.

“It will interest you to know that within two months of its establishment, Operation Delta Safe has been engaged in intensive patrols.

“Our increased surveillance resulted in the destruction of illegal refineries, militant camps, and arrest of several criminals among others.”

NAN