The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation PULO SHIELD, says it has killed a suspected pirate, arrested four suspects on the trial of killers of two soldiers in Bayelsa.

It would be recalled that the two soldiers were killed on April 5 in a gun duel with suspected kidnappers at a construction site where an expatriate worker near Nembe in Bayelsa.

A statement signed by Spokesman of Operation Pulo Shield, Col. Isa Ado, made available on Thursday in Yenagoa, said that the military was poised to arrest those behind the death of the soldiers.

According to the statement, “Troops of Operation PULO SHIELD while on cordon and search Operation in Idema community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on 9 April 2016 encountered some gunmen close to the Community suspected to be sea pirates.

“The pirates engaged the troop in a gun battle before they were over powered by the superior fire power of the troops which led to the death of one of the gunmen while others escaped with gun shot injuries.

“One AK 47 Rifle and two loaded magazines were recovered from the bandits along with 9 Mobile GSM telephones and 3 walkie talkies.

“Four suspects were also arrested during the operation.”

Ado said that in a similar operation, troops on April 7, 2016 also conducted raid operation at suspected militant camps in Gbarain Community, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa and recovered three AK 47 Automatic Rifles.

“Other items recovered include Magnum Double Barrel Gun, 273 rounds of 7.62mm Special, 7 empty magazines of AK 47 Rifle, one empty magazine of FN Rifle and 9 packs of explosives suspected to be dynamites.

“In another development, troops of Sector 1 following a tip off on 31 March 2016 arrested three suspects in connection with an information on the concealment of a bag containing four pieces of AK 47 Rifle in Kokori Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta. The arrested suspects and exhibits are in custody of Operation PULO SHIELD for preliminary investigation before further action by Prosecuting Agencies,” Ado stated.

•Photo shows Operation PULO SHIELD Commander, Maj Gen Alani Okunlola.

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