By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Nigerian Military said its troops have dislodged several militants camps in Rivers state and rescued five expatriates.
The military recalled that on 9 May 2020, some foreign expatriates onboard MT RIO MITONG and MT DJIBLOHO were kidnapped by unknown militants group in Yellow Island.
The military in a statement issued yesterday by Major General, John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, said the camps dislodged by a joint team from Forward Operating Base Bonny, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER and troops of 146 Battalion, included; Ibiakafemo, Idinkiri, Tombie and Ogboma.
He said the identified camps were subsequently destroyed to deny the pirates freedom of action.
“Consequently, on the early hours of 6 October 2020, the pirates/militants compelled by the ongoing operation surrendered to the gallant troops and handed over the 5 kidnapped foreign expatriates at Iwofe Waterfront.
“The 5 expatriates comprising 3 Russians, one Ukranian and one Equatorial Guinean are presently at NNS PATHFINDER medical centre receiving medical attention.
“In a related development, the joint team intercepted 2 large wooden boats laden with an estimated 350,000 litres of suspected stolen illegally refined AGO and about 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil. The stolen petroleum products have been recovered to the Base.”
