The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta said Sunday night that it has arrested six suspected pirates behind the attack that killed four of its soldiers and a policemen in Nembe, Bayelsa State, and also confiscated a weapons cache.
According to a statement issued on Sunday night in Yenagoa by Lt. Col. Isa Ado, a JTF spokesman, the troops destroyed a militant camp during the raid.
“JTF in a swift reaction to the 7 August 2015 attack on the JTF troops along Nembe Community in Bayelsa State has carried out a cordon and search operation in suspected militant camps responsible for the attack at Ke Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The Militant camp was destroyed by JTF troops while 6 suspects comprising of 4 male and 2 female were arrested,” the statement continued. “Large quantities of Arms and live Ammunition were also recovered from the camp.
“The arrested suspects are in custody of the JTF and are helping the Task Force in the investigation that will lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects and their sponsors,” Ado said.
According to the JTF spokesman, other items recovered from the militant camp include 3 speedboats, communication gadgets, and generators.
He stated that the Task Force is in hot pursuit of other fleeing suspects.
“The JTF will continue to dominate the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta Region and will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous act are apprehended.
“The JTF also use this opportunity to call on people with credible information that will lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects to come forward with it to enable the Task Force carry out its operation effectively in line with its mandate and Zero Tolerance Campaign against all illegalities in the region,” the JTF stated.