– The Joint Task Force (JTF) stopped the militants in Delta state from blowing up another pipeline

– The troops also killed notorious militant, who tried to escape engaging the soldiers in the shootout

The soldiers of Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (ODS), on October 31, foiled attempts by suspected Niger Delta militants to blow up another oil pipeline at Ethiope East local government area in Delta state.

The troops involved in the operation who were searching the creeks of the state discovered an attempt by the militants to destroy a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, the spokesman of ODS, in a statement issued in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, deined the oil facility as a wellspring at Kokori Oil Field, Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30.

It was learnt that the militants planted their bombs on the wellhead and were preparing to stroke it when they seen the soldiers.

According to Dauda, on sighting the troops, the militants fled the sight.

He further said that troops of Sector 4 in the current clearing operations at the creeks of Southern Cross River, killed a notorious militant better known as Okon Iyo.

Dauda said that the militant was gunned down when he involved the troops in a shootout in his failed attempt to escape the creeks.

The spokesperson added that the deadly militant was surrounded by when the troops raided the Efig Esighi forest located at Southern Cross River.

“Similarly, troops discovered the dead body of one of the Bakassi Strike Force militant who was earlier engaged in Efut Esighi but escaped with gun injuries. His body was seen in a bush close to the main road in Effionsa, Bakassi local government area,” the statement reads.

“The troops also raided the compound of a suspected member of Bakassi Strike Force; Mr Otobong Sunday Essien, at Road 27 Resettlement Center Bakassi. A Motor Bike was recovered from his compound.

“In addition, the troops intercepted a Passat waggon car owned by a suspected Bakassi Strike Force militant known as “G1”. He is the sentry Commander of the group.”

“Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure the sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law-abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.”

The Niger Delta militants have renewed attacking of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region particularly in Delta state after a ceasefire, despite efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to talk with shareholders from the region.

The militants,who commenced its attacks in February, has reduced Nigeria’s oil production by hundreds of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) in 2016.