The Joint Military Task Foce deployed to the Niger Delta on Monday said its troops lost a solder and killed a suspected militant leader when the bandits launched an attack on troops in Ondo state.
Spokesman of the Joint Task Force,JTF, Abubakar Abudullahi, a Major who announced the feat in a statement issued in Yenagoa noted that three soldiers were injured in the incident that occurred Sunday night.
According to the statement , the JTF remained committed to its mandate of securing oil facilities and checking criminality and maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in a special operation repelled an attack on troops’ location around Ajakpa community, in the creeks of southern Ondo state last night.
“The attack was led by one notorious gang leader, Ossy Ibori with a hideout at Ajakpa in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“The leader was gunned down during the gun duel, along with some of his gang members.
“His body was identified by the locals in the area. While search for other criminals who jumped into the water with gunshot wounds is ongoing, troops had recovered one AK-47 rifle and 4 magazines.
“Sadly in the process, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while 3 others sustained gunshot wounds.
“They have since been evacuated to military hospital for proper medical attention,” Abdullahi stated.
He explained that the operation was still ongoing and appealed to law abiding residents of the affected communities to remain calm and vigilant.
The spokesman urged the people to support troops with valuable information on whereabouts of other criminals.
Abdullahi recalled that criminal gangs led by late Ibori have been terrorising parts of Lagos,Ogun, and Ondo sates prior to this operation.
He alleged that they committed many atrocities threatening the peace and security of the area.