Isa Ado, spokesman of Operation
Pulo Shield – the joint force in the Niger Delta – on Tuesday said many
militants were killed during an exchange of gunfire with soldiers in Bayelsa
state. Ado said a combined team of suspected militants and sea pirates,
attacked his men in Foropa, a community in Southern Ijaw local government area
of the state. He said three soldiers were killed in the incident, revealing
that troops had been stationed in the community since 2010.
“The location came under fierce
attack and three of our soldiers, who were hit by bullets, died on their way to
the hospital,” he told NAN.
“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.”
The defence headquarters has
threatened to crush militants who have renewed attacks on oil
installations in the region.