JTF rescues abducted soldiers, civilians, finds human parts

Troops of the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, say they have rescued two abducted soldiers and four civilians from a kidnappers’ den.

The OPDS, with headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, also said the troops found human skulls and bones during the raid on the kidnappers’ camp in Rivers State.

The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, OPDS, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, said in a statement on Thursday that the operation followed a report of the kidnap of two soldiers who were in transit for banking services in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

He said after the report, the OPDS immediately swung into action by mobilising troops for the rescue operation.

The outfit’s spokesman said when the suspected militants sighted the troops approaching their den, they engaged the troops in a gun battle.

He, however, said during the gun duel, the troops overpowered the kidnappers with superior firepower, leading to casualties on the side of the militants, while others escaped with gunshot injuries into the forest.

Abdullahi said, “On September 18, 2017, at about 7.30am, OPDS headquarters received a report of the kidnap of two soldiers while in transit for banking services in ONELGA, Rivers State.

“Troops were immediately mobilised into action. They discovered a militant camp with several shrines in a forest at Obiozimini community in Rivers State.

“On approaching the forest, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the troops, who subsequently engaged them with superior firepower, leading to casualties on the side of the suspected kidnappers, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries  into an adjoining forest.

“The operation successfully rescued the two abducted personnel. Further search of the campsite led to the rescue of four more civilians who were earlier kidnapped, including a lady.’’

He said items found in the camp and shrines were three pump action guns, eight empty cartridges, human skulls and some bones.

Abdullahi said the camp and shrines were subsequently destroyed, while the rescued victims were taken to one of the military’s medical facilities in the area.

He said troops were trailing suspected perpetrators of the crime, who fled into the forest.

He urged members of the public to provide any useful information to identify the criminals and their whereabouts in order to face justice.