The Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta has confirmed the death of four soldiers in an ambush by unknown gunmen at Letugbene in Bayelsa state.
Major Victor Olukoya, Spokesman of the joint force code-named Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), made the confirmation on Wednesday, saying the incident happened on Feb. 16.
Olukoya said: “Troops while carrying out their routine duty within its area of responsibility on Feb. 16, at about 6 p.m. were ambushed by unknown gunmen.
“Four soldiers were killed in action. However, investigation is ongoing to ascertain the persons or groups behind the attack.”
He, however, denied an online media report that the soldiers invaded the community in a reprisal attack, describing the report as false and unfounded.
“It is important to state here that contrary to an online report, the men of OPDS did not invade Ekeremor community at any time,” he explained.
Olukoya said that the mandate of OPDS was to protect oil facilities, deter militancy and oil theft. He said OPDS had no business with invading communities, but had remained committed to securing the lives of law-abiding residents.
According to him, commanders of the troops who visited the areas found the people going about their normal businesses.
“The Commander Operation Delta Safe along with Commander 16 Brigade and Commander Sector 2 were in Letugene Beneside, Ogbotobo, Tunu and other communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area.
“They observed citizens going about their lawful duties without any hindrance contrary to the erroneous impression created in the false news report.
“The OPDS advises the good people of Ekeremor LGA to please remain law-abiding as the command will fish out the perpetrators of the ungodly act and ensure a secured environment for all,” Olukoya said.
Earlier, The Herald reported that the JTF deployed to protect oil installations in the Niger Delta, ‘Operation Delta Safe’, on Monday, urged personnel of various services under its command to steer clear of hard drugs.
The JTF Commander, Rear Admr. Akinjide Akinrinade, gave the charge in his opening remarks at a seminar organised on the dangers of drugs abuse amongst personnel of security agencies, at the JTF headquarters in Yenagoa.
He said that the military would not condone any act of drug abuse among its officers and men, saying it was a ‘court marshal offence’, with stiff penalties under the military statues.