Troops rescue 6 kidnapped victims

Troops of the Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta have freed nine kidnap victims, impounded 56 bags of Indian hemp, and arrested two suspected drug dealers during an operation.

Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu, the Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of Operation Delta Safe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Saturday that measures had been put in place to restore peace in the region.

“Troops in Delta foiled an armed robbery attempt and rescued 6 civilians returning from market along Bomadi Agadama road by Ohoro Junction in Ughelli North Local Government Area. The suspected robbers fled on sighting troops.

“In another development, troops deployed at Koluama conducted a raid on Sea Pirates’ hideout in Kasabubou Forupa Waterways, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

“Troops rescued three persons namely; Peter Atijera, Lukeman Balogun and Pious John and recovered Speedboat mounted with Double Engine 115/80 Horse Power, 2 Binoculars and one Motorola radio.

“The Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE while on patrol over Isaka town, Kidney Island, Alakiri and Bille in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State sighted two barges loaded with illegally refined products which were incapacitated,” Daudu said.

According to him, troops of Sector 3 resolved a major fracas between the youths of Ayama village in Aladja community of Warri South West in the process of which one Mr Sunday Obuche of Ayama Community was killed.

Daudu noted that the presence of troops forestalled the degeneration of the crisis and further loss of lives.

He stated that the corpse of Obuche has been deposited at the Oviam Aladja Police Station while a meeting with the warring factions will be held to forestall reprisal attacks.

The spokesman also said the troops rescued three indigenous staff of LEX Oil, who were kidnapped on Nov. 3 at Ikuru town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

“Furthermore, troops in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a raid on a suspected illegal drug dealer’s hideout at Emu Obodeti Community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.

“The operation led to the arrest of one Moses Eni and Mrs Boyi Kamanda with 55 bags of substance suspected to be Indian hemp recovered.

“The items are in the custody of the NDLEA office in Kwale, Delta State,” Daudu stated.