Troops of the Joint Military Force (JTF) deployed to the
Niger Delta Operation Delta Safe, have foiled a kidnap
attempt, freed two victims and arrested five suspected
militants in multiple operations, according to a
statement.
The statement, signed by Lt.-Cdr. Thomas Otuji, Deputy
Spokesman, JTF, issued on Friday in Yenagoa, stated
that five suspected militants were arrested in the
operations by several components of the force in the
past 10 days.
Otuji attributed the successes recorded to distress calls
from members of the public.
‘’Several illegal refineries were also destroyed during the
operations. Troops immediately swung into action and
rescued the victims.
“One Mrs Vanessa Ilepi and Mrs Tega Okoro were
kidnapped at gunpoint at Amukpe community in Warri.
“Effort is ongoing to apprehend the suspected
kidnappers who escaped.
‘’A locally made single barrel gun was recovered from
the arrested suspected kidnapper,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 1, Operation DELTA SAFE,
have also raided and destroyed illegal refinery sites at
Opumami and Okogho creeks in Warri, Otuji stated.
The spokesman stated that the operators of the illegal
refinery abandoned the sites and fled on sighting the
patrol boats.
He said that JTF members found and destroyed 16
cooking pots, two Cotonou boats filled with crude oil
and four wooden shelters at the sites.
‘’Also one carton of 70 mm ammunition, three pumping
machines, two deep freezers, one generator and a 55
Horse-power speed boat were found and destroyed at
the site.’’
According to him, troops on Oct. 4, also discovered and
destroyed illegal bunkering sites along Bille creek, Bonny
Local Government Area in River during a routine patrol.
He said that special boat services had been deployed to
degrade and fish out elements of Bakassi Strike Force
militants tormenting innocent citizens at Bakassi and
Akpabuyo Local Government Areas in Cross River.
“Meanwhile, troops of Sector 4 of Operation DELTA
SAFE, while on patrol, apprehended two suspected
militants who stole two high-powered boats with
outboard engines from boat operators.
“They were about selling the engines at Aqua Beach
when our troops arrested the suspects and handed
them to the Nigeria Police for further action.’’
He further said that the troops had launched an
operation at a hideout in Okon Mkpa Community of Efut
Esighi, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River.
Otuji said that the operation was prompted by a tip-off
indicating the presence of some militants in the area.
“Troops, in company of the special boat services,
immediately raided the criminals’ hideouts and
apprehended three suspected militants.
“The following items were recovered at the scene: a
Toyota Camry vehicle belonging to one of the suspected
militants, sentry duty rosters and 73 wraps of substance
suspected to be Indian hemp.
‘’A book containing over 30 names of suspected
militants’ nominal roll for the scheduled payment of
allowances was also found in the car.
“Preliminary investigation to ascertain the names in the
book has commenced,’’ he said. (NAN)
