In a bid to end the activities of militants in the Niger Delta area, the Nigerian Army has launched an offensive in the region with the single aim of stopping further vandalism of oil installations.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Army successfully engaged and pushed back militants who intended to blow up an oil pipeline at Gulobokri, Bayelsa state.
The statement reads: “Today, 29th May 2016 in the early hours of morning, troops of 343 Artillery Regiment of 2 Brigade, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, carried out patrol within the general area of Gulobokri and Eweleso, around Brass area in Bayelsa State.”
“During the exercise, the patrol team had an encounter with some armed militants in 2 Speed boats with intents to blow up Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline at Gulobokri. The suspected vandals opened fire on the patrol team.”
“The troops responded with overwhelming superior firepower and as a result, the suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gunshot wounds. No casualty on the patrol team.”
“Unfortunately, a personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the team sustained gunshot wound. He has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition.”
“In a related development, another patrol team of the same unit of 82 Division Nigerian Army, on patrol to Perigbene House Boat (HB) also encountered 3 Speed boats suspected to be containing militants about to attack another critical infrastructure in the area. The troops opened fire on them, killing most of them and injuring others. However, the casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was raining heavily and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping criminals.”
“A mop up operation has been organized for those militants that escaped with gunshot wounds and injuries as they may be receiving treatment in the neighbouring communities.”
“With this development, troops would continue to intensify patrol in the general area to avert further vandalization or attacks in the area.”
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