JTF deploys troops to Bayelsa communities to checkmate attacks by pirates, kidnappers

The Joint Military Task Force in Niger Delta codenamed Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) on Wednesday said armed troops have been deployed to Nembe and Ogbia communities of Bayelsa State to prevent possible attacks by suspected sea pirates and kidnappers ahead of the resumption of work on the Nembe-Ogbia 27 kilometres road project..

The deployment of troops, according to OPS, was due to last month’s attack on the convoy of officials of the road construction giant, Setraco, which led to the killing of two soldiers and the abduction of an expatriate staff of the company.

The representative of the JTF, Col. Gold Chibuisi, while speaking in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa state, during a meeting between the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah and the two funding partners, comprising the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and Setraco, said that the Command has taken some measures to step up security on the Ogbia-Nembe road.

He said, “the recent killing of two soldiers on the road was unfortunate and shocking, saying that the Task Force will liaise with Setraco to ensure better security.

Earlier, Rear Admiral Jonah expressed appreciation to all the partners in the project for coming together to chart the way forward for the project.

He also stated that the State government had facilitated the project with the massive contribution of three billion Naira to ensure its early completion.

The deputy governor recalled that the Ogbia-Nembe Road had been on the drawing board since 1965, noting that it was a dream come true to see that the road was virtually completed, stating that he was overwhelmed with joy when he drove through the road for the first time on December 31, 2015.

In her speech, the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the Commission had met its financial obligations to the project fully and pleaded with SPDC to do same so that the project could be delivered on time.

She also sympathized with the Nigerian Army and the families of the soldiers that were recently killed by armed bandits on the road, adding that security has been a major challenge in the Niger Delta.

Also speaking, Manager Community Interface, SPDC, Mr. Evans Kurukurubo, assured other partners that SPDC would meet its financial obligations, adding that SPDC was totally committed to the delivery of the road project which has reached a 95% completion level, assuring that it will be delivered.

In his speech the Managing Director of Setraco, Mr. Fayez Khalaf, stated that his company was determined to complete the project despite the security challenges, stressing that the project will be completed within one