Troops Foil Attempt To Bomb Oil Installation In Delta

BEVERLY HILLS, October 31, (THEWILL) – Troops of Joint Task Force's Operation Delta Safe (ODS) have frustrated attempts by militants to bomb another oil installation in Delta State.

The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, described the oil facility as a wellhead at Kokori Oil Field, Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30.

He disclosed that troops of ODS, who were combing the creeks of the state, uncovered an attempt by the militants to sabotage a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

He revealed that the militants planted their explosives on the wellhead and were preparing to blow it when they sighted the troops.

“On sighting the troops, the militants fled the sight,” Dauda said.

Dauda also revealed that troops of Sector 4 in the ongoing mop-up operations at the creeks of Southern Cross River killed a notorious militant popularly called Okon Iyo.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Story by Oputah David