The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe says its soldiers have arrested 44 members of the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Lt. Col. Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the Joint Military Operation said it was in fulfillment of Operation Delta Safe’s mandate to rid the Niger Delta region of crude oil theft, sea robbery and other forms of criminality while protecting oil and gas infrastructure, that troops of Sector 2, Operation Delta Safe in Bayelsa State, acting on intelligence, trailed a group of people which led to the arrest of 44 members of the separatist group.

“They were apprehended at Lakeview Club along Mabinton Estate, Okaka road, Bayelsa State. This group was planning to establish Bayelsa State Chapter of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra and disrupt public peace within the Joint Operations Area. They were duly arrested and have been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigations,” the Spokesman said. The military further threatened that “the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable and sacrosanct. Hence any unlawful gathering that will cause mayhem, threaten the unity and sovereignty of the country will not be condoned.”

Similarly, troops of Section 4 of the military operation in Southern Cross River on October 26 acting on a tip off carried out a raid in Ikot Ene Idem, Abakpa and Ikang Inam in Bakassi and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of the state.

“During the cordon and search operations, troops discovered four militant shrines with 23 human skulls in various stages of decomposition, a complete human skeleton and several other human body parts. The shrines were destroyed as troops continue the search for the perpetrators of these heinous acts against humanity. With the clearance of these shrines the Bakassi Strike Force have effectively been smoked out from the areas they used to hold sway. It should be noted that the senseless killing of humans for ritual purposes is sacrilegious and will not be tolerated in any form within the Joint Operation Area.

“Meanwhile, troops arrested two suspects while on patrol at Idebe Ifak Anam, Ikot Okon Edem and Abakpa of Bakassi Local Government Area in Cross River State. Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested suspects are agents of Bakassi Strike Force militants who act as spies for them.

“Furthermore, troops of Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe in Rivers State, on 23 October 2016, follow a distress call from Finima in Bonny of an attack by some cult members using AK 47 riffles to terrorise members of the community. Troops immediately raided their hideout. The suspected kingpin popularly referred to as Eagle Face dived into the river on sighting troops. “Two of the suspected cult members were arrested; one locally made pistol, one machete and two telephone handsets were recovered. On 25 October 2016 the body of the suspected kingpin was seen floating in the creeks by locals who recovered and buried the corpse at Bonny river bank. Effort is ongoing to apprehend other members of the group.

“The Acting Commander Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe wishes to appreciate members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops and re-assure residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region particularly the good people of Southern Cross River of their safety to go about their legitimate businesses. Operation Delta Safe has the full backing of the Federal Government to bring sanity to the Joint Operation Area within its Rules of Engagement.”

•Photo shows detained IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu.

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