Four soldiers attached to the Joint Task
Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe (ODS), who are currently carrying out
an operation codenamed ‘Crocodile Smile’, to rid the Niger Delta of
criminalities, were yesterday feared dead in the creeks of Bayelsa
State.
The loss of the security personnel, it
was learnt, followed a boat mishap along the Brass Water Front in Brass
Local Government Area of Bayelsa, which led to the troops drowning in
the water which was said to have risen to a high level at the time.
All the weapons in possession of the
troops at the time of the accident, including service rifles belonging
to the soldiers, were also said to be missing.
It wasn’t clear why the boat capsized,
but it was gathered that during the incident, which occurred at about
10a.m. yesterday, many other soldiers were able to swim to safety,
though their weapons could not be recovered at the time of this report.
No military officer was willing to
comment on the matter, but it was learnt that the troops, comprising
mainly the newly deployed officers, were among the missing or feared
dead.
The government recently commenced the
mass deployment of military personnel in the creeks of the Niger Delta
consequent upon the prolonged destruction of oil and gas infrastructure
belonging to the federal government and multinationals.
The security operations against renewed
militancy, sea piracy and search for those threatening to hoist the
Niger Delta Republic flag on October 1, has continued despite
indications that the militants had signified their intention to begin
peace talks with the government.
Yesterday, an indigene of the Brass
community identified as Etta, who said he witnessed the incident, noted
that attempts by community youths and other soldiers to assist in a
rescue operation failed. Many of the affected soldiers could not be
found, he added.
“In recent times, we have been noticing
increased movement of soldiers in our area. The boat that capsized was
conveying a new batch of soldiers to the waterfront.
“I was going to dispose of refuse at the waterfront and I saw uniformed soldiers struggling to rescue their colleagues in a capsized boat.
“I was going to dispose of refuse at the waterfront and I saw uniformed soldiers struggling to rescue their colleagues in a capsized boat.
“When the confusion subsided, four
soldiers were missing with their rifles and other military stuff. Some
others that were rescued had their rifles missing and struggling out of
the water,” he said.
As at yesterday afternoon, military
authorities were said to have sought the help of local divers and youths
to assist in the search for the missing soldiers, but one of the youths
confirmed that the high tide of the water was impeding the search and
rescue operation.
The state Chairman of the maritime union, Lloyd Sese, who confirmed the incident to journalists said the union had received the report on the boat incident, but did not have details on the number of casualties yet.
The state Chairman of the maritime union, Lloyd Sese, who confirmed the incident to journalists said the union had received the report on the boat incident, but did not have details on the number of casualties yet.
An official of Brass Local Government
Area who pleaded anonymity, also confirmed the development, saying, “but
we thank God it was a natural incident.”
The Acting Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre, Lt. Commander Thomas Otuji, when contacted, said only the military headquarters in Abuja could make comments on such issues.
The Acting Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre, Lt. Commander Thomas Otuji, when contacted, said only the military headquarters in Abuja could make comments on such issues.
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