JTF Kills Three Suspected Pirates In Crossfire
Three suspected pirates have been reported killed in a fierce battle with the Joint Task Force, JTF, on Tuesday at Robot creeks in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State.
According to Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, the JTF Media Coordinator, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, some 30 pirates, armed with AK-47 riffles in two speedboats, attacked the JTF patrol troop.
Anka added that in an attempt to repel the attack, a soldier in the patrol and two boat operators were injured.
He said the troops also raided and destroyed illegal oil bunkering site at Okpoko Creek in Warri South local government area of Delta, seizing nine Cotonou boats loaded with stolen crude oil.
It was also gathered that seven speed boats loaded with 75 jerrycans containing illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and five pumping machines were seized from the pirates.
* Nigerian soldiers
The spokesmen informed that five suspects were arrested and in custody of the command for preliminary investigation before handing over to the prosecuting agency.
“JTF troops deployed at Patrick Water Side and Opobo Creek in Rivers while on patrol intercepted and destroyed a wooden boat, filled with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil, at Bodo waterways.
“Also at Baragbene community in southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa, troops destroyed four wooden boats filled with crude oil and illegally refined AGO.
“Two dumps were also destroyed alongside one Cotonou boat.
* Niger Delta pirates
“The JTF troops deployed along Elele axis of Rivers intercepted a truck loaded with unascertained volume of crude oil suspected to be stolen.
“The driver escaped on sighting the troops; the truck was towed to a safe place and set ablaze.
“Another vehicle was also intercepted along Sapele/Warri express road close to Okover community in Okpe local government area of Delta conveying 85 jerrycans loaded with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
“The driver and other occupants fled on sighting troops, while the vehicle and the product were destroyed,” Anka said.
Pirates have been reported lately to be carrying out attacks in the Niger Delta area in an attempt to steal crude oil in the area.
Source: Legit.ng
