JTF Arrests Five Sea Pirates, Launches Manhunt On Killers Of Its Personnel

The Military Joint Taskforce, code named Operation Polu Shield says its has launched a manhunt targeting the killers of six of its personnel killed in two separate incidents by suspected pirates operating in the  waterways of Bayelsa and Rivers State. Source Reports.

Last week three soldiers escorting barges belonging to Eni Oil were killed by unknown gunmen along Sangana while another three were killed during a separate operation along Sacta-Babra waterways in Bayelsa and Rivers States.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday Colonel Mustapha Anka said "The Manhunt was launched on the suspected sea robbers that attack JTF troops and waterways users in Sangana and Sacta-Babra waterways in Bayelsa and Rivers States".

Colonel Anka also disclosed that JTF forces had recorded some success in the previous days in raiding pirates’ hideouts and seizing ammunition.

"In its efforts at eradicating sundry crimes and safe guarding the Niger Delta region.  The anti-kidnapping and sea robbery squad of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD have arrested five suspects. The arrest is not unconnected to the attack of fiber boat belonging to JTF. The aggressive and continuous day and night raids, stop and search patrols of the JTF operations along the waterways has resulted to the arrest and recovery of some weapons from the hoodlums." Colonel Anka said.

Other items recovered during the operation included three Browning Machine Gun (BMGs) with registration Nos 1981 with stand, B572 Banel No Z90323 with stand, HMG – 50MG ST Kinetics Serial No 2405PM with requisite mounting hardware. Other seized items included several registered and unregistered assault-class rifles, gunboat batteries, a laptop computer, police fragmental jacket, ammunition and cell phones. The confiscated items were said to have been secured from Ukubie community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

SOURCE: SaharaReporters