JTF kills Six Pirates in Bayelsa

Operatives of the Joint Military
Task Force (JTF) said they killed
six suspected pirates at the
weekend.
According to a statement by
JTF's Media Coordinator, Lt. Col.
Onyema Nwachukwu, the
suspects were killed in a shoot-
out in the creeks at Ekeremo
Local Government Area of
Bayelsa State.
Nwachukwu said six of the
members of the gang were
reportedly killed in a shoot out
between men of JTF and the
hoodlums while one other
escaped.
A source told N/E that JTF
operatives were on routine
patrol of the river and adjoining
creeks, following report of the
unwholesome activities of
pirates in the area when they
came face to face with the
hoodlums.
It was learnt that the hoodlums
on sighting the JTF patrol team
opened fire on them and the
soldiers responded and killed
six members of the gang. A
member of the gang reportedly
escaped with gun shot wounds.
Relieved residents of the coastal
enclave, it was learnt, yesterday,
besieged the Agge base of the
security outfit to catch a
glimpse of the deceased
suspects.
Contacted, Media Coordinator of
JTF, Lt-Col Onyema Nwachukwu,
confirmed the incident, saying
six members of the gang were
killed.
He said: "About 5pm on June
23, troops of JTF Operation Pulo
Shield at Agge while on patrol
along River Ramos encountered
a gang of seven suspected
pirates. On sighting our troops,
the pirates opened fire and our
patrol troops immediately
returned fire. Six pirates were
killed in the encounter while
one escaped into the river with
gun shot wounds."
Items recovered from the
hoodlums, included one 200
horse power speedboat, two
single barrel gun, seven mobile
phones, two hack saw blades,
four wraps of substance
suspected to be Indian hemp
and four torchlights.