Niger Delta agitators have expressed readiness to dialogue with the Federal Government for peace to return to the troubled oil-rich region.
Four militant groups, under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Militant Groups, spoke yesterday after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
A statement by General John Duku, Leader of Niger Delta Watchdogs; General Ekpo Ekpo, Leader of Niger Delta Volunteers; Commander Henry Okon Etete, Leader of Niger Delta Peoples Fighters and Commander Asukwo Henshaw, spokesman for BFF, said the militants were ready for peace.
They hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for asking Niger Delta militants to dialogue with the Federal Government during a visit of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to him on Christmas Day in Abuja.
The statement reads: “We wish to assure Mr. President that Niger Delta militants and the people are 100 per cent ready to dialogue with him. We have no personal grudges against him and his government. We promise to work together to make Nigeria better.”
The militants condemned the call for the resignation of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, by the Senate.
They said such a call was not in the interest of the nation.
The agitators said they uncovered a plot by some politicians to sponsor militants to protest for the removal of Lawal, warning that they would resist any attempt to sack the SGF.
The statement added: “The allegation levelled against Mr. Lawal is baseless. They are not based on facts.
It is the handiwork of some saboteurs who are planning to bring down and destroy this government by all means, knowing very well that the SGF is the engine room of this government. He is hardworking, 100 per cent loyal to the President and a threat to some self-centred politicians.
“It is on record that Lawal has resigned his position as the Managing Director of the alleged company as soon as he was appointed the SGF. He neither presided over nor acted on behalf of the company anymore. However, a Senate committee refused to invite the SGF for public hearing because they knew what they were up to and must deliver, based on the directive from their paymasters.
“We are fully aware of the ongoing plan to mobilise some Niger Delta youths and ex-militants to protest against the SGF. Millions of naira have been moved into Niger Delta to actualise this plan by using some powerful governors in the region.
“At this crucial time, this government needs someone like Mr. Lawal, a trusted, loyal and hardworking man beside the President. Mr. Lawal must not be removed from office because of such frivolous allegations without proper investigation by authorised agency of government. We shall resist any force and any protest from any quarter to remove Mr. Lawal as SGF.”
Tag: Militants
-
We’re ready for dialogue, militants tell Buhari
-
Militants now regrouping in Ogun, says Amosun
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday raised the alarm that militants are returning to the state.
Amosun said the militants were not only “regrouping” in boundary communities within the state but also approaching Ijebu-Ode and Ogere – both in Ogun East Senatorial District.
The governor spoke when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj-Gen Babtunde Oyefolu, visited his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, the state capital.
He noted that before the militants were routed, following military’s air and land assaults on their dens in riverine parts of the state, they had sacked various communities, destroyed properties and displaced people.
Amosun hailed the military for its efforts at degrading Boko Haram in the Northeast.
“Everybody would agree that we are winning the war, people are returning home, areas that were under the control of Boko Haram are now free and people are going back home. So, huge commendation for the military.
“When we bring it home here, not too long ago, we had these issues with these criminals. I don’t call them militants, they are just criminals, who took over all our riverine areas, we ran to Mr President and they were sent away.
“What we are hearing is that they are now regrouping, they have moved from where they were sent away from, they are now moving very close to Ijebu Ode towards Ogere.
“Before now, they were in Arepo, Sagamu, Ikorodu but what they are now doing is regrouping and taking hostages around boundary areas.
“It is a very good avenue for me to inform you but we would be ready for them and it is good that I am putting you on notice,” Amosun said.
General Oyefolu lauded the government for supporting the Army, adding that security should be the business of everyone.
He appealed to the governor to extend his empowerment programmes to officers in the state. -
Troops recover cache of arms, ammunition in N’Delta
Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), have arrested 10 suspected militants terrorizing various creeks in the Niger Delta region.
The troops were said to have intercepted and recovered cache of arms and ammunition in one of their operations in Cross River State, that led to the arrest of the militants.
The new Commander, ODS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, said that in the Cross River operation, troops of Sector 4 acting promptly on a tip-off intercepted a gang of militants robbing innocent traders around Ikang axis.
The victims were said to be conveying bags of rice from Cameroon in wooden boats when two flying boats of militants armed with sophisticated weapons ambushed them.
But the troops reportedly stormed the area, isolated the eight-man gang of militants and engaged them in a gun battle that lasted over 15 minutes.
While seven of the militants were said to have escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds, one of the hoodlums identified as Mr. Kingsley Effiong Essien, was arrested.
It was gathered that a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) was mounted in one of the flying boats used by the militants.
Suleiman listed items, arms and ammunition recovered from the militants as two speed boats, two General Purpose Machine Gun, 200 Horsepower boat Engine (HP), two 150 Horsepower boat Engine, one 75 HP Engine boat and one small wooden boat mounted with 9.9 HP Engine.
Others are three AK47 magazines, 306 rounds of GPMG 7.62 millimeter (mm), Browning Machine Gun (BMG) ammunition, one round of 12.7 millimeter BMG feeding tray, three empty ammunition boxes, one dagger knife, empty cases and links.
Also recovered were six touch light, seven tins of magi, two school bags, three tecno handsets, one Nokia handset, two Etisalat sim cards, two Airtel lines, one memory cards and charms.
Four military camouflage jackets, one Nigerian Navy head warmer, Camel bag (water bottle), four big raps of Indian hemp, packets of condoms and 12.7 millimeters BMG rounds and accessories, were further seized from the militants.
It was further learnt that the troops raided militant shrine at Ube Okobo in Akwa Ibom State owned by a notorious militant leader.
Though the militant leader was said to be on the run, the troops arrested six fleeing suspected militants.
Also, troops raided militant camp at Bilabiri community following a tip-off and nabbed four suspected militant.
Suleiman said since he assumed the command of ODS on November 16, his determination to sustain and improve on the pace introduced by his predecessor, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, yielded successes.
He said the ODS would continue to live up to its mandates of protecting oil and gas infrastructure and preventing militancy, sea robber, crude oil theft and other forms of criminal activities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states.
“ODS is primarily here to protect and preserve national oil and gas installations. But I must also warn that criminals will have no hiding place in the region. Few disgruntled elements will no longer be allowed to hold this nation to ransom”, he said.
He said the security and economic challenges in the country required concerted efforts of everybody including the press.
He appealed to the journalists not to fall into the traps of helping the militants and other criminals to propagate their nefarious activities.
Suleiman insisted that the media had a major role to play in the war against militancy following their closeness to members of the public.
He also thanked members of the public for their cooperation in providing timely information to the troops and assured them of their safety.
“Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure the sanity of the Niger Delta region even in this Yuletide season”, he said.
-
Navy destroys militant camps, arrests suspects in Bayelsa
The Nigerian Navy has dismantled some active militant camps and arrested some suspected militants and oil thieves in Bayelsa State.
The destruction of active militant and illegal refining camps in the creeks of the state were part of many operations in the Exercise Eagle Eye (EEE) carried out in the Niger Delta region by the Navy between Thursday and Saturday.
A team of senior naval officers sent by the Chief of Naval Staff including Director Doctrine, Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre, Commodore Vincent Okeke were on ground to appraise the operational capabilities of the navy in the state.
The operations were conducted by the Nigerian Naval Ship SOROH, Yenagoa, the Foreword Operational Base (FOB), Formoso, Brass and the navy’s special force, the Flaming Warriors, who were sent from Abuja and Lagos State.
The forces stormed different creeks in the region destroying militant camps, illegal refineries and arresting suspected sea robbers and militants.
In one of the operations led by the Commanding Officer, Formoso, Capt. Mayowa Olukoya, at about 2am on Friday, the forces nabbed four suspected sea robbers.
The suspects, who were said to have terrorised traders and residents of some riverine communities in the state, were paraded at the jetty of the FOB Formoso.
They confessed that they were behind some attacks on traders and residents of communities along the waterways.
The suspected hoodlums, who gave their names as Messrs. Lucky Abraham, Enatimi Peter, Gift Monday and Felix Nathan, also said they were working for one militant, identified as Thomas.
The suspects further said that they threw some of their weapons such as a pump action rifle, AK47 rifle and a radio walkie talkie into the river when they were being pursued by the navy.
They were later apprehended at Masunkiri, some kilometres away from FOB Formoso, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Explaining the exercise, the Commander, NNS Soroh, Commodore Habib Usman, described the Exercise Eagle Eye as the annual sea inspection operation by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas.
He said the exercise was aimed at enhancing maritime security in Nigerian territorial waters.
Usman said: “The exercise is part of the Chief of Naval Staff annual event. It started on December 1. The first phase was the riverine operations involving Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. What you have witnessed in Bayelsa is the team covering the state.
“The objective of the exercise is to assess the operational capability of the Naval forces on ground. During the operation, a number of arrests were made, a number of militant camps have been razed and a number of illegal refineries have also been destroyed.
“This is all part of the ongoing efforts to rid the riverine areas of the Niger Delta of all forms of illegalities so that economic activities can thrive.”
Usman said the naval forces arrested four sea robbers when their camp was raided, adding that they (suspects) were armed with sophisticated weapons.
He said that the suspects on sighting their troops, opened fire on them adding that the troops overpowered and arrested them.
Usman, who led the exercise in the state said that the suspects were giving the Navy useful information to help in tracking other criminals in their camps.
He implored the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace, seek legitimate businesses and shun all forms of illegalities.
The CNS team also visited various Naval boat houses in Akassa, Ezetu and inspected military drills and simulation operations on counter – piracy attacks, among others.
-
Militants sack Ogun riverine communities
Five persons were shot, canoes destroyed and two settlements razed down when people suspected to be militants, attacked riverine communities of Makun – Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The armed militants bearing red bands on their wrists and heads stormed the settlements of Makun – Omi on Tuesday night and sacked the villagers in a surprise assault which forced the villagers to scamper into the bushes.
No fewer than five people were hit by bullets from the militants while fleeing into the bush while area is now deserted, a witness told The Nation.
Two settlements that were most hard hit are Liyewu and Yandagbe, where over five houses were torched after the militants looted them of valuables.
The Nation gathered that the militants were allegedly hired by their neighbour – Atijere community in Ondo State, ostensibly to eject them from the land.
The Nation gathered further that the Atijere community in Ondo State and Makun – Omi in Ogun State have been fighting over land in the area in the last 40 years.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Makun Omi, Chief Biodun Odumade, told The Nation in a telephone that two persons who were shot by the suspected militants are receiving treatment in a hospital, and that security agencies have moved in to the trouble areas this morning to restore peace and secure life.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said one person was shot during the attack, adding that various security agencies have stepped in to restore order.
-
Troops dismantle militant camps in Bayelsa, Cross River
Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), has dislodged unrepentant militants from their various camps in the creeks of Bayelsa and Cross River states.
The troops, it was gathered, stormed many creeks in the Niger Delta region, destroying illegal refineries and clamping down on suspected oil thieves in a widened onslaught against oil-related crimes.
The troops were said to have discovered and destroyed an active militant camp at the creeks of Isunkiri in Bayelsa.
They reportedly recovered items such as two laptops, a hammer, Philippino currency note and coins, one plasma TV, one DVD player, saw blades, four Motorola hand held radios, two R2 GMDS radios and four mobile phones.
Others are five radio chargers, five motorola Radio batteries and one foreign ATM card, two sim cards, one civil helmet, pair of fire-fighting uniform, one GMI radio and documents/identity cards belonging to one Mr Roberto Bacariza Jr (Philippino).
The troops also found civil clothes, four pairs of Swire pacific offshore overall uniform, two boxes of drugs, two foreign passports, one ladder, one blue colour speed boat mounted with 115 Horse power with inscription VIP on it and one 75 Horse power engine, light blue coloured fibre.
The Media Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda confirmed the development and said a similar raid took place at creeks in Cross River.
He said following a tip-off, troops dismantled a militant camp at Harrison Kiri, Liberty, Evil forest, Virgin forest, Opuru fishing port, Wangwa fishing port and Zion city.
“At Harrison camp, suspected militant fled on sighting troops. They are being trailed. Similarly, troops raided Bukuma Jetty and arrested three suspected militants and one Cotonou boat laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil”, he said.
Dauda also confirmed that troops of ODS widened the scope of its war against oil theft and other criminal activities in all the states of the region.
In Bayelsa, he said: “Troops on anti-illegal bunkering operations in Obi creek Epelepele Community of Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State discovered and destroyed a bunkering camp.
“Following a tip off, Mr Kelly Ikurusi, Mr Dokubo Erempagamo, Mr Orifie Borto and Mr George Friday AKA Yellow 1 were arrested. Yellow 1 is said to be among the militants who attacked and killed own troops on 8 August 2016 at Nembe. The four suspects are undergoing preliminary investigations.
“Troops while on foot patrol discovered suspected criminal hideout around Biogbolo Secondary School in Yenagoa metropolis.
“The area was cordoned and subsequently searched. Troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a riser with the intention of blasting it. The IED was diffused as troops provided security.
“Troops also discovered an illegal refinery site at Borokiri general area where bunkerers engage in massive loading of illegally refined AGO. One container truck with registration number AWK 119 ZL loaded with 50 drums concealed behind bags of flours were impounded.
“Toops while on anti-illegal bunkering operations at Adokeye Amah general area in Okrika discovered three illegal oil refining sites with 25 cooking pots and two large tank farms.
“Items recovered include; three pumping machines and two welding machines. Also troops discovered reactivated illegal oil refineries which were destroyed”.
Dauda disclosed that the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE foiled a kidnap attempt by gunmen led by the suspected leader of a cult group popularly referred to as “Icelander” at Entebe community in Akwa Ibom State.
He said the gunmen on sighting the Naval gunboats, fled the scene.
He said: “It was also reported that sea robbers operating from Eastern Obolo attacked and kidnapped unspecified number of persons on a ship at sea. Troops of NNS JUBILEE are on the trail of the kidnappers for possible rescue.
“Also troops at FOB FORMOSO stationed at Nembe creek repelled saboteurs who tried to vandalize and steal a control unit from a Well Head 72 operated by AITED Company. Vandals abandoned their tools on sighting troops.
“Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.
“The Acting Commander Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe wishes to appreciate members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops and re-assure residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses”.
-
Troops intensify operations to flush out N’Delta militants
Troops have been massively deployed in the creeks of the Niger Delta region to hunt down militants disturbing the peace of the region and bombing oil installations despite ongoing dialogue.
It was gathered that the deployment was made by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), following concerns that militants were still attacking oil pipelines in spite of peace talks between stakeholders of the region and the Federal Government.
The troops, it was learnt, were asked to identify and dismantle all the active militant camps used as operational bases by the hoodlums.
They were also directed to patrol the creeks, monitor vessels on the waterways and conduct stop-and-search operations on suspicious speedboats.
At one of the creeks identified as Sand-Sand Fishing Camp in Nembe, it was gathered that the troops came in contact with unrepentant members of a militant group who were making efforts to activate a dismantled militant camp.
A source from the ODS who spoke in confidence said the militants were trying to reactivate the camp to use it as a satellite base to constantly attack oil facilities located at the Nembe-Brass waterways.
He said the troops after gathering enough intelligence burst the camp and in the process confronted the militants in gun battle.
“It was not an easy operation because the militants were armed to the teeth. But we overpowered them and killed one of their leaders, popularly known as Edoboy. We are still pursuing others who fled into the creeks”, he said.
The source further added that most of the fleeing militants were fond of running into communities to make the operations of the troops difficult.
“They run into the communities whenever they are being pursued and mix up making it difficult to identify them. The communities are always afraid to identify them and most times, these hoodlums use them to make statements accusing JTF of violating their human rights.
“We are very professional and will not engage in any action or conduct that will drag the name of the military in the mud”, he said.
But the indigenes of the Sand-Sand community claimed that the troops invaded their community under the guise of looking for militants.
They accused the military of destroying scores of houses, churches and schools during the incident.
One of the indigenes, Chief Dede Francis, claimed that residents deserted the community alleging that displaced persons were suffering in bushes and neighbouring communities.
“We tried talking to them but it was futile. After hours of intimidation, they told us that some suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers were chased into our community. They claimed there were exchanges of gun fire with their personnel by the suspected Avengers from the community.
“The invasion and search however left buildings, schools and churches destroyed. Only a school building was left standing. We are shocked. The so-called Avengers did not enter our community”, he said.
But the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, faulted the claims of Francis describing it as a big lie.
He said the true position of the operation at the Sand-Sand community, had been widely reported by the media.
He added that militants and persons, who were making bloody capital from the activities of hoodlums, were behind the claims that troops invaded the community and destroyed houses and churches.
Referring to a statement earlier issued on the operation by ODS, Olaolu said: “Troops of Sector 2, Bayelsa State, in conjunction with Special Forces conducted patrols at Sand-sand Fishing Camp and uncovered attempts by militants to reactivate an earlier-destroyed camp.
“The troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called ‘Edoboy’.
He was one of the notorious kinpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorizing innocent members of the communities in the area”.
Also,a Nembe Chief, Wilfred Ogbotobo, asked the ODS to do everything professionally possible to flush out militants from the Niger Delta creeks.
According to him criminals should not be pampered and any dialogue with militants amount to treating a full-blown criminality with kid gloves.
He said: “With the quantum of weighty challenges confronting the nation at the moment, the Buhari administration does not have the luxury of time and resources for hopeless, hypocritical frolics with every lunatic group that springs from the creeks and other parts of the Niger Delta.
“Instead, the federal government should consolidate the successes so far recorded and expand the overall capacity of the Operation Crocodile Smile to restore law and order in the region, for the government to fast track meaningful developmental measures immediately”.
-
JTF tackles militants, vandals, kidnappers in Niger Delta
Worried by the never-ending destruction of lives and national assets, especially oil installations, by militants and other criminal elements in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government deployed the Joint Task Force to quel the crimes. Mike Odiegwu examines the activities of the outfit and writes that the Operation Delta Safe (ODS) arm of the JTF is making progress in tackling militancy, vandalism and kidnapping.
The Operation Delta Safe (ODS) arm of the Joint Task Force (JTF), is the busiest security formation in the Niger Delta region. Officers and operatives of ODS working hard to live up to the outfit’s mandate of safeguarding the region.
Insecurity portrays the Niger Delta as the most crime-infested area in the country, after the Northeast. The troops are saddled with the responsibility of ridding the Niger Delta of militancy, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, piracy and other forms of crimes.
Every week, troops patrol the difficult, muddy and waterlogged terrains. They invade criminal hideouts, have close shaves with death from enemies of the region who are armed to the teeth.
Weekly scrutiny of the activities of ODS revealed that the outfit is achieving its mandate in the region.
Niger Delta Report obtained the following records of the weekly activities of ODS in some of their operations in the region.
Troops against sea pirates
A statement signed by the Deputy Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Commander Thomas Otuji, said the troops of Sector 1 in Delta State deployed at Idama waterside received distress calls by members of the community that sea pirates were terrorising them. The troops stormed the community and pursued the criminals.
The troops sank the pirates’ 200-horse-power speedboat and recovered items such as arms and ammunition, AK 47 rifle, three magazines with 20 x 7.62 millimeters (special) and two live vests.
The troops then sailed to Kula, Abonnema waterways, following a tip-off and engaged sea pirates near Olakpoko Kula where another gang engaged them in a shootout. Two of the pirates were killed while two others escaped with gunshot wounds. The troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, two AK 47 magazines, 40 x 7.62 millimeter (special), two mobile phones and one speedboat.
War against oil theft: troops reject bribe
In Rivers State, troops of Sector 3 raided an illegal refining camp at Adokiye-Ama community of Okrika Local Government Area. After conducting cordon-and-search operations, they discovered massive illegal refineries.
They further discovered that the camp belonged to one Mr. George Amah, who is indigenous to Okrika. They destroyed the camp and recovered 33 pumping machines of various sizes, one power generating set; two gas cylinders for welding, five radio chargers and three speedboats.
The troops, in a separate patrol, also intercepted two wooden Cotonou boats laden with petroleum products. They recovered two welding machines, a power generating set, 10 packs of welding electrolyte, two welding masks, two bags of cement, a bundle of marine rope, four shovels, one hose and five life vests. The troops set the items ablaze.
In a similar raid around Tangolosusu area of Bonny, the ODS operatives destroyed two illegal refineries and some wooden barges.
In Delta State, ODS had major breakthroughs as the troops resisted attempts by oil thieves to make them compromise. In what was called static operations, troops arrested one Salisu Mohammed Zayyan, a driver of an Iveco petrol tanker with plate number Katsina KNK 151 XA.
The tanker was laden with 33,000 liters of substances suspected to be illegally-refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).
It was arrested at Otovwodo, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The suspect reportedly loaded the illegal product from a creek in Port Harcourt and was heading to Zamafara State when he was arrested. While the waybill indicated that the tanker was loaded with Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS), on close examination, it was actually loaded with AGO.
Another suspect identified as Kesiena Oloya was arrested by the ODS along Jeremi Junction, Ughelli South Local Government Area. He had in his possession 35 gallons filled with AGO. The suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the troops with N29, 000, but his offer was turned down.
His Nokia mobile phone and two Vento cars with registration numbers GB 393 AA and BUR 151 AA were seized and burnt by the troops. He was later handed over to the A Division of the Nigeria Police in Ughelli.
The Eagle-eyed troops also foiled an attempt by oil thieves to use escort vehicles as a decoy to transport stolen AGO. One of the vehicles had an escort tag as its plate number while the other had registration number WWR 24 AL.
Otuji in the statement said: “They were carrying 8×300 litres and 12×60 litres of plastic drums and jerry cans of suspected illegally-refined AGO.
“It was gathered that the intention of the occupants of the vehicles was to evade scrutiny by troops.”
Similarly, the troops, in conjunction with members of Petroleum Task Force, raided two illegal oil-bunkering dumps at Ugwuangwe in Warri South Local Government Area and Udu Local Government Area. The sites were reportedly used as dump and piling camps before reloading into petroleum tankers. Items such as rubbers, hose and jerry cans were recovered and destroyed.
War against militants and kidnappers
The ODS continued its operations against a militant group operating in the creeks of Bakassi and Cross River State. In collaboration with some vigilance groups, the security operatives ambushed and killed five members of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF)
ODS’ statement said: “The suspected militants had earlier hijacked a boat conveying large quantity of rice from a marketer at Parrot Island in Bakassi Local Government Area.
“The owner of the goods was asked to pay N500, 000 as ransom. The militants were at the point of collecting the ransom before they were encountered by the troops. Similarly, troops arrested two suspected militants of Bakassi Strike Force and a suspected cultist in Ikot Ene, Akpabayo Local Government Area and apprehended another high-profile suspected member of the Bakassi Strike Force militant known as Ekpo (alias Short Gun) at Resettlement Centre Road, 27, Obot Tom Road in Bakassi.”
Besides, operatives of ODS, in conjunction with Nigeria Police and vigilance group rescued a kidnap victim, Chief Matron of Ughelli Central Hospital, one Mrs. Patience Abere who was abducted at her residence, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, on October 19.
“The matron was abducted by three notorious armed men in her Kia Soul car with registration number AS 609 UGH. One of the suspects, Mr. Innocent Egboboh, was apprehended while two of the abductors fled on sighting the troops. Two locally-made pistols and three live cartridges were recovered from the criminals.
“Troops of Sector 1 also trailed and arrested suspected kidnappers, one Mr. Simon Agbabule and his accomplices at Okwugbude Community in Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State.
“The criminals were on their way to kidnap a victim when the troops monitored and swung on them. Items recovered included one AK 47 rifle, two magazines and 49 x 7.62 millimeters (special) ammunition.
“It has come to the notice of Operation Delta Safe that criminals hide under names of reputable companies by using their vehicles/trucks to perpetuate crimes.
“We appreciate the untiring support of members of the public for providing timely pieces of information to the troops. We are resolute that no amount of inducement by recalcitrant criminals will compromise our resilient troops from ridding the region of economic saboteurs.”
-
Navy to militants: Embrace dialogue
The Nigerian Navy has asked the Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue and stop bombings of oil installations in the region.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, spoke Saturday when he led a medical outreach to Etegwe community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
Garba argued that if militants failed to embrace dialogue and continued with their criminal activities, they would lose public sympathy.
He explained that the free medical rhapsody was part of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility aimed at boosting civil-military relations.
Garba said: “I expect the people to remember that struggle is not drawing a line and make it look like a kind of crusading spirit. There must be ways of reaching compromises and concessions.
“And you can only reach those compromises and concessions through dialogue. The government has already given room for dialogue, so let them embrace it. If they embrace it, it is better for the society and Nigeria at large.
“But if they refuse to go into dialogue, there might be a tendency that that sympathy they are gaining from the people will be lost and it means they are now surrendering the call for peace to chaos and violence which is not good for the society.”
He noted that the medical mission was one of the key priorities of the Chief of Naval Staff to bring the navy closer to the people within the maritime environment.
He said the free medical mission was carried out monthly to test and treat health challenges of the people such as malaria, typhoid fever, high blood pressure, diabetes, among others.
Garba said: “It will be delightful to let you know that today is the sixth time we are offering free medical services to communities in Yenagoa and environs. The CNS is instrumental to the sustenance of this rhapsody every month.
“Navy is a part and parcel of the community. We feel we are blood brothers. So, one Nigeria is a vital issue to all the military personnel. That is why we feel that we must have a way of reaching the communities though this medical rhapsody and inauguration of projects.”
In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Etegwe community, King Todumema Geoffrey, said the free medical mission was the first in the history of the community.
The monarch asked youths to desist from pipeline vandalism and destruction of critical national assets, saying that such tendencies would not bring development to the Niger Delta region.
“We want to appreciate the Navy for the gesture. I want to warn those involved in blowing up pipelines and other criminal activities to desist from such acts. They are uncalled for. We need development in our region,” he said.
-
Militants attack oil facility as Buhari meets Niger Delta leaders
HOURS after President Muhammadu Buhari met with leaders of Niger Delta to ensure peace in the region, some militants yesterday attacked the Trans-Forcados Export trunk line at Batan community in Warri South West Local Government of Delta State.
It was learnt the attackers struck at 1 am, causing a breach on the facility evacuating crude oil from the Batan Flow Station to the Forcados Export Terminal.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack last night.
But a security officer at the Batan Flow Station, who spoke in confidence, said: “The attack was carried out with the aid of dynamites. It occurred less than 48 hours after the resumption of operations at the flow station.”
Also, an environmental activist and Chairman of Neighbouring Kokodiagbene Community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, described the attack as politically motivated and an attempt to sabotage the peace efforts between the government and Niger Delta stakeholders.
Mulade, who urged President Buhari not to yield to the blackmail, added that those behind the attack were criminals.
He said: “They said the thing occurred like after 1 am today (yesterday). I don’t see why anybody would do this when the President is already engaging leaders of the area. Obviously, those who are involved are simply trying to thwart the efforts of the leadership. I also want to believe that they are a politically sponsored group because no reasonable agitator in the Niger Delta would still carry out such a nefarious activity. We condemn it in its entirety.
“However, the President shouldn’t let this deter him in his efforts. He should go ahead with the engagement and see to it that the military go decisively after any criminal element because these are not agitators; they are criminal elements.”
Also, a statement last night by the spokesman of the Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Lt.-Col. Olaolu Marcellinus Daudu, said the incident was being investigated.