Philip Eke, Yenagoa
The Joint Military Force deployed to protect oil facilities in the
Niger Delta on Tuesday confirmed that three soldiers were killed in a
gun duel with pirates and militants. Col. Isa Ado, Spokesman of the
force, codenamed, “Operation Pulo Shield’, told newsmen in a telephone
interview that the incident occurred on Monday night.
Ado said that the shooting took place in Foropa, Southern Ijaw Local
Government Area of Bayelsa, where troops had been stationed since
- He said that the military patrol team was attacked by a combined
team of suspected militants and sea pirates, but that the team fought
gallantly to ward off the attack.
“The location came under fierce attack and three of our soldiers, who
were hit by bullets, died on their way to the hospital. “There were so
many casualties on the side of the militants, but we cannot precisely
know the number.
“The morale of the troops remains high and the sacrifices of these
soldiers shall never be in vain; we remain resolute in our
determination to stamp out oil theft and illegalities in the Niger
Delta region. “These soldiers gave their lives for peace in the Niger
Delta,” Ado said.
