Meanwhile, suspected militants yesterday ambushed a location of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Nembe town, Bayelsa State, killing three soldiers and carting away several arms and ammunition belonging to the security outfit.
During the incident which occurred at about 9.30 a.m., the gunmen made away with military gunboats after they sacked the operatives of the JTF stationed at the checkpoint in the waterways of the state.
The checkpoint, it was gathered, is located at the entrance of the community and has existed since the outset of the armed agitation in the Niger Delta region.
The checkpoint, it was gathered, is located at the entrance of the community and has existed since the outset of the armed agitation in the Niger Delta region.
The gunmen were reportedly disguised as mourners in order to deceive the security operatives and let out several gunshots on the unsuspecting officers, killing three instantly and injuring several others, including civilians.
Many residents of the area, it was gathered, became apprehensive when they heard the sound of gunshots which unsettled the community during the surprise attack that lasted for about 30 minutes.
The gang, which operated in several gunboats, caught the soldiers unawares and left no chance for a quick response, a source said.
The gang, which operated in several gunboats, caught the soldiers unawares and left no chance for a quick response, a source said.
A resident of the area said many people started fleeing for fear that the military might return for a reprisal attack.
“The attack was deadly and well planned. Nobody had expected that such a thing would happen at such a time when the jetties are busy with people preparing to go about their normal business activities.
“I am sure even the soldiers did not expect this to happen at that time. Some persons who were already sailing out of Nembe said they saw the gunmen but dismissed them as mourners because they were dressed in white robes,” he said.
“I am sure even the soldiers did not expect this to happen at that time. Some persons who were already sailing out of Nembe said they saw the gunmen but dismissed them as mourners because they were dressed in white robes,” he said.
The source further said that following the incident, some residents in Nembe fled the community while others locked themselves indoors following widespread fears of a reprisal.
It was learnt that the incident occurred at the same military checkpoint where five soldiers were shot dead and heavy guns carted away in November last year.
Officials of the state government were said to have sent a delegation to the area while the JTF deployed more men to the scene and on the trail of the violent gang.
A statement later yesterday by the acting spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Commander A. Ahmed, said the security operatives vowed to go on the offensive against the suspects.
A statement later yesterday by the acting spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Commander A. Ahmed, said the security operatives vowed to go on the offensive against the suspects.
“Some suspected gunmen believed to be militants at about 10 a.m. on 8th of August 2016 attacked the 343 Artillery Regiment, a detachment of Operation Delta Safe deployed in the Nembe jetty in Bayelsa State.
“During the incident, three soldiers lost their lives. The commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, has consequently deployed a reinforcement team to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
“He further warned that henceforth, Operation Delta Safe will go on the offensive to fish out all criminals in the region.
“It should be noted that the attack by militants was as a result of the ongoing operations of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, aimed at flushing out all forms of criminality, especially pipeline vandalism and the destruction of illegal refineries within the region.
“It should be noted that the attack by militants was as a result of the ongoing operations of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, aimed at flushing out all forms of criminality, especially pipeline vandalism and the destruction of illegal refineries within the region.
“The command wishes to assure the law abiding public, particularly the Nembe community that Operation Delta Safe is mandated to ensure conducive and safe water ways for legitimate businesses in the joint operation areas”, the statement said.
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