Pirates attack : JTF nabs 6 suspects , recovers arms snatched from slain soldiers in raids on pirates camp

JTF operatives in action

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta said Sunday night that it has arrested six suspected pirates behind the attack that killed four of its soldiers and a Policemen at Nembe in Bayelsa.

The Bayelsa Police Command had on Saturday confirmed that an attack on Nember waterways by armed gunmen suspected to be pirates left four soldiers and Policemen dead.

Mr Asinim Butswat, Spokesman to the Bayelsa Police Command said that Joint Task Force (JTF) base at Nembe, Bayelsa came under attack on Friday night.

According to a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, Spokesman of the JTF in Yenagoa, the troops destroyed a militants camp during the raid.

“JTF in a swift reaction to the 7  August 2015 attack on the JTF troops along Nembe Community in Bayelsa  State has carried out a  cordon and search Operation in suspected Militants camps responsible for the attack at Ke Community in Degema Local Government Area of  Rivers State.

“The Militant camp was destroyed by JTF troops while 6 suspects comprising of 4 male and 2 female were arrested.

“Large quantities of Arms and live Ammunition were also recovered from the camp.

“The arrested suspects are in custody of the JTF and are helping the Task Force in the investigation that will lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects and their sponsors,” Ado.

According to the JTF spokesman, other items recovered from the militant camp include 3 speed boats, communication gadgets and generators.

He stated that the Task Force is in hot pursuit for other fleeing suspects and in no time will catch up with them and bring them to justice.

“The JTF will continue to dominate the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta Region and will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous act are apprehended.

“The JTF also use this opportunity to call on people with credible information that will lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects to come forward with it to enable the Task Force carry out its operation effectively in line with its mandate and Zero Tolerance Campaign against all illegalities in the region,” the JTF stated