Nigerian soldiers

Nigerian Army said on Sunday that its troops of 343 Artillery Regiment of 2 Brigade, 82 Division on  patrol within the general area of Gulobokri and Eweleso, around Brass area in Bayelsa State in the early hours of the morning encountered militants in speed boats out to sabotage oil facilities.

Colonel Sani Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations said in a statement that the patrol team had an encounter with some armed militants in 2 Speed boats with intents to blow up Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline at Gulobokri.

“The suspected vandals opened fire on the patrol team. The troops responded with overwhelming superior firepower and as a result, the suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gunshot wounds. No casualty on the patrol team,” said Usman.

He added that personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the team who sustained gunshot wound has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition.

Colonel Usman also said in the statement that another patrol team of the same unit of 82 Division Nigerian Army, on patrol to Perigbene House Boat (HB) also encountered 3 Speed boats suspected to be containing militants about to attack another critical infrastructure in the area.

He added that the troops opened fire on the militants, killing most of them and injuring others. Col. Usman said the casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was raining heavily and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping criminals.

He however added that a mop up operation has been organized for those militants that escaped with gunshot wounds and injuries as they may be receiving treatment in the neighbouring communities.

The Army Public Relations chief said the troops would continue to intensify patrol in the general area to avert further vandalisation or attacks in the area.