Suspected Sea Pirates kill 3 soldiers in Bayelsa Creek
Suspected to sea pirates and renegade militants in the early of Tuesday, invaded the coastal town of Foropa in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State killing three soldiers.
The attack on the soldiers, it was gathered, occurred at about 1 am Tuesday at a military check point in the coastal settlement on the Atlantic fringe.
Sources disclosed that the development has heightened tension in the coastal enclave with the natives fleeing their homes for fear of possible reprisal attack by the military.
The soldiers, attached to the Joint Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield were reportedly attacked by the armed men, who stormed the checkpoint in two speedboats.
It was gathered that the hoodlums, after the vicious attack in which they outnumbered the soldiers, carted away two AK47 rifles, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and other ammunition at the checkpoint.
According to the source, “It was a one sided shooting. But calls were quickly made to the military base in Ogbinbiri, which quickly deployed two gunboats to the area”.
A security source complained that there had been deliberate planned attacks on armed security agents and formations in the region by suspected militants.
“These militants attack security agents ostensibly to steal their arms and ammunition. Criminally-minded youths are stockpiling arms again. This calls for vigilance among security operatives,” he said.
Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre of the OPS, Col. Isa Ado, confirmed the attack, describing the gunmen as “suspected pirates and renegade militants.”
His words, “At about 100 hrs of the day, sea pirates and renegade militants engaged our men at their location in Foropah community in gun battle which was very intense.
“Some of our men sustained injured while three were killed. There was also casualties on the attackers side , which I can confirm. We have condoned off the area and the security operation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the leadership of the community led by the Chairman of the Foropa Council of Chiefs, Chief Walson Nyemo Eribini and the Chairman of the Community Development Committee, Pastor Timi Ode yesterday condemned the killing of the soldiers and called on the Federal Government to ensure the killers are brought to justice.
“The report we heard over the killing of the soldier was sad. We condemned it in the strongest of terms. And we have sent a Save-Our-Soul letter to the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and the Commander of the OPS to ensure that our community and the people are safe,” he said.
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