Troops of 6 division Nigeria Army, have busted a notorious den of kidnappers, cultist and illegal bunkerers and arrested 7 kidnappers after more than one hour shootout with the criminals.
The hideout located at Omoku in Rivers State also contained a shrine where 10 skulls of victims of kidnapping and ritualists’ who had been sacrificed were recovered.
The deadly hideout is said to belong to a notorious and wanted militant, Mr. Igwedibia Johnson (aka ‘Don Waney).
A statement by Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 div, Col Aminu Iliyasu said, “In the early hours of Monday, 20th November, 2017, as part of the continued efforts to rid the Niger Delta of criminals and acts of criminality, troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army, based on a tip-off by some patriotic citizens, raided the camp and shrines of a notorious militant, cultist, kidnapper and ardent illegal oil bunkerer, Mr. Igwedibia Johnson, (aka “Don Waney”), who has been terrorising the peace-loving Omoku community in particular, as well as the entire people of Rivers and Bayelsa States.
“After about an hour of gun fight, the gallant troops overpowered the criminal elements. Some of them scampered in disarray and are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds through River Orashe in Omoku.
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“The troops however, arrested 7 others including 2 ladies while they were trying to escape during the encounter.
“It is believed that the main kingpin, Igwedibia Johnson, (aka “Don Waney”), was not at the location during the encounter as concerted efforts are on by security agencies to track, arrest and bring him to justice.
“The troops recovered quite a number of items at both the camp and the shrines which include; 10 human skulls, various human bones, 2 AK-47 Rifles, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 18 AK-47 Rifle Magazines, 4 pairs of military camouflage, 5 camouflage T-Shirts, and 3 Fabrique Nationale (FN) Rifle Rifle magazines.
Other recoveries include 39 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 1 round of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
Others are 2 bags weighing about 25kg containing substances believed to Cannabis (Marijuana), 3 ICOM Hand-held Radios and 2 MAG ONE Hand-held Radios.
Colonel Iliyasu on behalf of the Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army thanked the good people of Omoku, Rivers State, for the timely information, understanding and also solicited for their continued support in the determined effort to rid the area of militants, illegal oil bunkerers and kidnappers.
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