NEDU MARK, Yenagoa
Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Codenamed; Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) in Niger has raided militants’ hideout in Bayelsa State and recovered four AK 47 assault rifles and two pump action guns.
Commander, OPS, in Yenagoa, Major General Alani Okunlola, made this known on Tuesday while briefing Journalists
Okunlola said the recovery of the arms and ammunition last week was as a result of intensive patrol and raid on suspected militants’ camps at Azagbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
He said the measures were part of the OPS zero tolerance campaign against illegalities in the Niger Delta.
“Three of the recovered AK 47 rifles with registration numbers 565223132, 565217534 and ON9129 were discovered to be among four rifles carted away during an attack on troops by suspected sea pirates.
“Recovered also are two pump action guns with registration numbers TS870-12-2414 and 10243, eight empty magazines and 228 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”
The Commander, however, said no arrests were made during the operation as the hoodlums fled on sighting the troops.
He assured Nigerians that the troops would no rest on their oars in making sure that the activities of those hoodlums were adequately curtailed, especially now that the election in the state is around the corner.
“The operation is a continuous one aimed at recovering all illegally acquired arms in the Niger Delta”
Okunlola promised to parade the recovered arms and ammunition to the press in no distant time.
The JTF Commander called on the people of Bayelsa State and by extension, the Niger Delta, to key into the outfit’s zero tolerance campaign against illegalities.
He said the development would help the OPS to track and arrest miscreants and other oil-related theft in the region.
The commander reiterated the command’s zeal and determination in the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the region.
