Soldiers Kill Four Suspected Pirates in N’Delta

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, (OPDS) Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday said they had killed four suspected sea robbers along the waterways of Awoba, Rivers State.

Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Major Abdullahi Abubakar, told journalists that several weapons were also recovered during the operation.

He added that a separate raid by the troops led to the discovery of boats used by the suspected sea robbers which were destroyed on location.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) ambushed a gang of sea robbers along KM-45 AWOBA Waterways in Rivers State. During the ambush operation, four robbers met their waterloo.

“Items recovered include: 2× AK-47 rifles, quantity 3× AK-47 magazines, quantity 22 ammunitions and one speed boat mounted with one 200 Horse-Power engine,” he said.

He added that soldiers on another operation along Bayelsa waterways acting on information, raided a sea pirates hideout along Forupa-Lobia waterways.

“However, pirates on sighting the troops advancing, fled the hideout, and left behind 3× fibre boats and one 75 Horse-Power engine. The hideout was subsequently destroyed instantly while the troops continue their patrols.”

On behalf of the Commander OPDS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, Abdullahi commended law abiding citizens for their support “by providing timely and useful information to troops.”

He appealed for more cooperation from inhabitants of the Joint Operation Area and assured the communities, oil companies and other stakeholders of their resolve to protect oil and gas infrastructure and prevent all forms of criminalities.