From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (ODS) has commenced a military operation in Letugbene community and its environs in Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa state over the killing of one soldier by suspected militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
Suspected militants operating as sea-pirates had on Monday attacked a military patrol team and engaged them in a shoot-out in which one soldier was killed and the boat driver seriously wounded. The patrol team were said to be returning from Letugbene when they were suddenly attacked by the suspected militants.
ODS Commander, Rear Admiral Apochi Ogabu Suleiman warned that the command would not tolerate the killing of soldiers, and declared that the military would use all its might to hunt anybody or group found to be behind the killing of soldiers. It was gathered that the on-going military operation in Letugbene and Bilabiri communities in Ekeremor is specifically to fish out suspected militants involved in the attack.
Already, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) central zone has condemned killing of military personnel, describing it as bizarre and unprovoked.
Chairman of the zone, Tare Porri, who however claimed four military officers were killed, expressed fear that the military invasion of the communities could affect innocent people.
“Four military officers were killed in cold blood alongside other civilians. Military officers went to Letugbene community and on their way back some persons accosted and killed all of them. Only one of them escaped. The military yesterday retaliated and invaded the communities. The operation is still on-going and it is spreading to other communities” he said
According to him the on-going military operation is causing panic as several communities are afraid that the operation would spread to their communities.
An intelligence military source said the military cannot condone the incessant killing of security agents in Bayelsa state.
“Security operatives are now endangered species in Bayelsa state. It is unacceptable the way security agents are killed in Bayelsa state. These are people that have dedicated their lives to protect the country. In Bayelsa , Policemen, Civil Defence operatives and soldiers are constantly killed. It is barbaric. The military would not accept it” he said.
When contacted a source denied that soldiers were killed, adding that two soldiers were initially declared missing but they have been found with their rifles intact.