Troops of Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), formerly the Joint Task Force (JTF), have arrested three suspected militants and vandals, following a raid on camps in the creeks in Delta State.
The troops recovered explosives, identified as dynamites and a cache of arms from the suspects, who allegedly operated on the Benin River and adjoining creeks in Itagbene, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Parading the suspects and arms at the OPS headquarters in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Commander of OPS Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola named the suspects as Mako Ajigidi (aka Sorsor), Godspower Alebi and Okiti Ariri.
The commander listed the arms recovered as: Light Machine Gun (LMG), five AK-47, G3 rifle, LAR rifle, 20 AK-47 magazines, 415 rounds special and other ammunition.
He said 10 explosives, identified as dynamites and bundles of detonating cords, were also recovered from the suspects.
Okunlola said the OPS achieved the feat through intensive patrols and raids on suspected militants’ camps.
He said: “The operation will be continuous; it is aimed at recovering illegal arms in the Niger Delta.
“I call on the people of the region to key into our zero tolerance campaign against illegalities and give information that will aid troops to track down and arrest miscreants.”
The commander said the joint force was determined to fight crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in Niger Delta.
