THE Joint Military Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, have gallantly rescued two abducted soldiers and four civilians from a kidnappers’ den.
The OPDS, said no stone would be left unturned to outlaw criminals, and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The JTF with headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, also said that the troops discovered human skulls and bones during the raid at the kidnappers’ camp in Rivers State.
The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, OPDS, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, said in a statement on Thursday that their operation followed a report of kidnap of two soldiers while on transit for banking services in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said after the report, the OPDS immediately swung into action by mobilising troops for the rescue operation.
The outfit’s spokesman said when the suspected militants/cultists sighted troops approaching their den, they engaged the troops in a gun battle.
He, however, said during the gun duel, the troops engaged them (kidnappers) with superior firepower leading to casualties on the side of the suspected kidnappers while others escaped with gunshot wounds into the forest.
Abdullahi said, ”On September 18, 2017, about 7:30 am, OPDS headquarters received a report of kidnap of two soldiers while on transit for banking services in ONELGA, Rivers State.
”Troops were immediately mobilized, swung into action and discovered a militant camp with several shrines in a forest at Obiozimini community in River.
”On approaching there, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the troops who subsequently engaged them with superior fire power leading to casualties on the side of suspected kidnappers while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds into an adjoining forest.
”The operation successfully rescued the two abducted personnel. Further search of the campsite led to the rescue of four more civilians that were earlier kidnapped including a lady.”
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