Gunmen kill 2 soldiers in Plateau

GUNMEN suspected to be herdsmen have attacked troops of Sector Five of the Special Task Force, Operation Save Haven (OPSH), killing two soldiers and injuring one at X-Land in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.

This is just as another four soldiers were killed in Bayelsa State in an ambush by gunmen.

An eyewitness and resident of Barkin Ladi, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the incident, which claimed the lives of the two soldiers, occurred on Sunday.

The eyewitness said soldiers, angered by the development, gave the community two days to provide the attackers, and on Tuesday, they allegedly raided the area and burnt down scores of houses.

The eyewitness also said the army made some arrests during the raid.

The source said: “On Sunday, gunmen attacked soldiers of the Sector Five, killed two personnel and ran into some houses in X-Land.

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“Soldiers came and had a meeting with members of the community; they told them to provide the culprits but they failed to, and on Tuesday, soldiers came and raided the community.

“They burnt down many houses, over 100 and arrested some persons.”

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the task force, Major Ibrahim Shittu, on the matter was unsuccessful as he did not answer the calls to his mobile phone; he, however, sent a text message saying he would get back with more information.

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Obah Ogaba, confirmed the incident.

The PPRO said: “It is true that gunmen ambushed security personnel of Sector Five, killing two soldiers and injuring one.

“The issue of burnt houses is not the key matter, but soldiers are attacked and two were killed and this is a major concern here.”

In Bayelsa, the Joint Military Force in the Niger Delta, on Wednesday, confirmed the killing of four soldiers in an ambush by gunmen at Letugbene.

Spokesman of the joint force, code-named Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Major Victor Olukoya, told NAN that the incident occurred on February 16.

Major Olukoya said: “Troops, while carrying out their routine duty within their area of responsibility on February 16, at about 6:00 p.m., were ambushed by unknown gunmen.

“Four soldiers were killed in action. However, the investigation is ongoing to ascertain the persons or groups behind the attack.”

Olukoya debunked an online media report that the soldiers invaded the community in a reprisal attack, describing the report as false and unfounded.

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“It is important to state here that contrary to an online report, the men of OPDS did not invade Ekeremor community at any time.

“The military is an organised and disciplined force and all its operations are guided by codes of conduct and rules of engagement.

“So it cannot be seen to behave in the manner that was perpetrated by an online report.”

Olukoya said that the mandate of OPDS was to protect oil facilities, deter militancy and oil theft as well as other forms of militancy.

He said OPDS had no business with invading communities but had remained committed to securing the lives of law-abiding residents.

According to him, commanders of the troops who visited the areas found the people going about their normal businesses.

“The Commander, Operation Delta Safe, along with Commander, 16 Brigade and Commander, Sector 2, was in Letugene Beneside, Ogbotobo, Tunu and other communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

“They observed citizens going about their lawful duties without any hindrance contrary to the erroneous impression created in the false news report.

“The OPDS advises the good people of Ekeremor LGA to please remain law-abiding as the command will fish out the perpetrators of the ungodly act and ensure a secure environment for all,” Olukoya said.

It will be recalled that four naval ratings escorting a vessel were killed by suspected pirates in December 2019 in Ekeremor LGA.