JTF Bombards Militants' Camps in Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Delta Safe on Thursday descended heavily on militants in the Delta State axis with heavy aerial and land bombardments on newly set-up camps.

THISDAY checks revealed that the camps were being set up by militants at Kosugbene village near Gbekubor around Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.

Security sources disclosed that the intelligence units of the JTF had been keeping surveillance on the development of the new camps until the operatives moved in to destroy them.

“Our intelligence units have been following the developments of the camps since they were being put in place by the miscreants. But we had to move in now to destroy them before they become a major problem for us all”, a senior military officer disclosed to THISDAY.

It was gathered that heavily armed soldiers in 10 gunboats bombarded the new camps at Kosugbene village as early as 7 a.m while the air components fired shots to pave way for safe landing of the personnel on the river.

The operations, it was learnt, lasted for several hours and the soldiers ensured that nothing could be salvaged from the destroyed camps.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the militants gave a feeble resistance as they were caught unawares by the soldiers whose superior fire power and tactics overwhelmed them.

It could not be ascertained whether or not any arrests were made at the time of filing this report.

THISDAY checks however revealed that several of the militants fled into the bush and nearby villages to escape from the military onslaught.

The military operations, it was learnt, were perfected by Sector One Commander, Colonel Alhassan Grema, and Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, Effurun, Major Ahmed Abdulakdir.

Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Marcellinus Daudu, confirmed the destruction but promises details later.