Suspected Militants Arrested in Bayelsa, Arms Recovered by Troops
YENAGOA - A gang of suspected militants and pipeline vandals have been arrested on Thursday by troops of the Joint Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield.
The arrested suspects and the recovered arms and ammunition were paraded at the headquarters of the OPS on Opolo Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Thursday.
They also said they recovered guns and ammunition including explosives which the suspects allegedly used to blow off pipelines.
The Commander, OPS, Maj. Gen. Alani Okunlola, said during a news conference that the arrest of the suspects and recovery of weapons were effected during raids on militant camps.
He said the feat was achieved during their operation along Benin River and adjoining creeks in Itagbene, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State last week.
The suspects’ names according to Okunlola are Mako Ajagidi, a.k.a. Sorsor, Godspower Alebi and Okiti Ariri.
The Commander said the items recovered during the operation were one light machine gun, five AK 47 rifles, one G3 rifle and one LAR rifle.
Others, according to him, were 20 AK 47 magazines, two LAR rifle magazines, 145 rounds of 7.62mm X 39mm special, 299 x 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 273 rounds of 5.65mm ammunition, 10 dynamites and bundles of two detonating cords.
The OPS commander called on the people of the Niger Delta to key into the outfit’s zero tolerance campaign against illegalities in the region.
He also urged the people to give useful information that would aid the troops of the Joint Force to track and arrest hoodlums.
He reassured the people of the command’s vigour and determination in the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
Source: Punch Newspaper
