Nigeria Army, Niger Delta Avengers battle in Bayelsa creeks

The Nigerian Army says troops of its 2 Brigade of 82 Division have foiled two attacks by suspected militants at oil fields operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa.

A statement issued by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations and made available to the media, said that the operations were conducted at Gulobokri and Eweleso, Brass area of Bayelsa on Sunday.

Usman said the patrol team encountered some armed militants in 2 Speed boats with intents to blow up NAOC pipeline at Gulobokri.

According to him, the suspected vandals opened fire on the patrol team while troops responded with superior firepower that compelled the suspected militants to flee with many of them sustaining gunshot wounds.

He said that there was no casualty on the patrol team, but a personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the team sustained gunshot wound.

Usman said that the NSDC personnel has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition.

He said that in a related development, another patrol team at Perigbene House Boat also encountered three speed boats suspected with militants about to attack another critical infrastructure in the area.

According to the Army Spokesman, “The troops opened fire on them, killing most of them and injuring others. However, the casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was raining heavily and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping criminals.

“A mop up operation has been organised for those militants that escaped with gunshot wounds and injuries as they may be receiving treatment in the neighbouring communities,” Usman said.

The Army Spokesman assured that troops would continue to intensify patrol in the Niger Delta region to avert further vandalisation or attacks in the area.

It will be recalled that Niger Delta Avengers had on Saturday attacked and blew up two crude oil export trunk lines operated by NAOC and Aiteo in Bayelsa.