Army spokesman, Sani Usman, said at least 23 ofthe armed militants were seriously injured in a shootout between the troops and the militants in their hideout in the creeks. Various calibres of arms, including a speed boat, were also recovered during the exercise, he said.
“The 133 Special Forces Battalion of Nigerian Army troops have carried out a precursor operation to Exercise CROCODILE SMILE aimed at getting rid of all forms of criminal activities in the Niger Delta geo-political region of Nigeria.
“In the course of the operation, five militants that attacked the troops were killed in action, while numerous others were injured and 23 suspects were arrested,” Mr. Usman, a colonel, said.
He said the operations, carried out by Special Forces on Friday, led to the recovery of an abandoned engine boat; two AK-47 rifles with 199rounds of ammunition; 11 pump action guns, a locally made revolver pistol; 292 cartridges of live ammunition; four electricity generating sets and acamp gas cooker.
Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, also confirmed the killing of the five militants and recovery of arms while addressing troops in Sapele, Delta on Saturday.
Mr. Burutai said apart from those killed, there were other suspects arrested when they attempted to interfere with the training conductedfor formations and units in the Niger Delta.
He urged the troops to exercise professionalism in their operations and conduct as they move intothe creeks for the exercise, and strive to minimize collateral damage to citizens’ lives and critical national assets located in the area.
The Army Chief urged the troops to respect the rights of members of the communities while discharging their duties, urging them not to spare any criminal found in the creeks.
He said the training was an exercise and operation geared at recovering the nation’s economic base and restoring normalcy in the region, assuring them of government’s commitment to improving the welfare of soldiers and officers.
(NAN)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please share your thoughts by clicking on POST A COMMENT link or posting in FACEBOOK COMMENT BOX above:
DISCLAIMER:
Opinions expressed in comments are strictly those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of PoliFocus.
Calling the CONTACTS on the comments is at your own risk, PoliFocus is not liable for any SCAM that may arise in the course of that.