In Bayelsa, Troops Raid Pirates’ Camp, Kill 5
Five suspected pirates have been eliminated by troops of Operation Delta Safe who raided their camp in Bayelsa State, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.
The DHQ, in a statement on Wednesday, also explained that troops, acting on actionable and credible intelligence on a suspected pirate/sea robber gang leader, one Mr. Lanre, mounted surveillance on the suspect who came into town from Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that the pirate gang leader was accompanied to Bayelsa by one Ayi Abuh, also a notorious Kidnapper/pirate.
“Subsequently, troops conducted a raid operation of the pirates’ camp at Tukugbene-Ayama ijaw LGA Bayelsa State on 4 August 20,” Maj. Gen. John Enenche, who issued the statement on behalf of DHQ, said.
Enenche, Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations (DMO), added that the operation was aimed at extracting both Lanre and Ayi Abuh, as well as other members of the gang from the community.
He said upon arrival at the personal jetty of the suspect, troops met heavy resistance from harassing gun fire from pirates/militants, in five boats that approached from adjoining creek.
He however, noted that the overwhelming fire power of own troops led to the forceful withdrawal of the pirates/militants, with various degree of gunshots wounds.
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Gen. Enenche, further said the gallant troops sustained the fire fight until five of the pirates/militants were neutralized ashore.
Added the DMO Coordinator: “Furthermore, three of the attacking boats were sunk, while the occupants with various degree of gunshots wounds, escaped into the river. In the process, troops recovered three boats from the pirates.
“Additionally, own troops took over the jetty and advance to the objective area which was empty. It was believed that while the exchange of fire was ongoing Lanre and Ayi Abuh escaped.
“A complete cordon and search was carried out on the building where the suspects were believed to be residing and thereafter the building was cleared.
“In the process, troops recovered three AK47 rifles with a magazine, two 200 HP Yamaha outbound engines and three 115HP Yamaha outbound engines.”
In a related development, Maj. Gen. Enenche, said troops acted on credible and actionable intelligence about a notorious criminal/kidnapper and oil thief popularly known as Akalami High Chief AKA Sammy, and swiftly mobilized to conduct raid operation at his identified hideout, along Mbiama East West road.
He explained that during the operation, the kingpin was neutralised, while attempting to escape.
He said: “Items including a locally made pistol and cartridges were recovered from the criminal. Sammy is reported to be a close ally to a notorious criminal known as VIP suspected to be one of the mastermind of the killing of 5 Battalion Soldiers around East West road.”
