Nigerian troops deployed to the Niger Delta region have killed a leader of one of the Niger Delta militants groups in the south-south region.
The Nation reports that the leader popularly known as Edo Body was killed by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) after the Nigerian Army intensified its operations in the creeks.
The operation against militants followed concerns oil pipelines attacks in spite of peace talks with the federal government.
The Nation reports that the troops had been asked to identify and dismantle all the active militant camps used as operational bases by the hoodlums and had at one of the creeks identified as Sand-Sand Fishing Camp in Nembe came in contact with unrepentant members of a militant group who were making efforts to activate a dismantled militant camp.
A source said, the troops, after gathering enough intelligence, burst the camp and in the process confronted the militants in gun battle.
“It was not an easy operation because the militants were armed to the teeth. But we overpowered them and killed one of their leaders, popularly known as Edoboy. We are still pursuing others who fled into the creeks”, he said.
“They run into the communities whenever they are being pursued and mix up making it difficult to identify them. The communities are always afraid to identify them and most times, these hoodlums use them to make statements accusing JTF of violating their human rights.
“We are very professional and will not engage in any action or conduct that will drag the name of the military in the mud”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Avengers has pledged to go on a rampage and to declare full-scale war in seven days if the government of Muhammadu Buhari fails to meet their demands.
The group in a statement signed by General Edmos Ayayeibo, the spokesman of Adaka Boro Avengers, gives the ultimatum to NUPENG to immediately ask all international oil companies operating in the oil-rich region to evacuate their territory.
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