Gun Battle Claim Lives Of 1 Suspected Oil Thief,2 NSCDC Personnel,1 Soldier In Ogoni As MOSOP Condemns Alleged Destruction Of Houses By The Military

Gun battle between suspected illegal oil bunkerers and security personnel has claimed the lives of 1 illegal oil bunkerer,1 Soldier,2 personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) in Gio community in Tai local Government area of Rivers State,Nigeria Revelation Agents cab report

In a statement released on Sunday June 16,2019 by Colonel Aminu Illaysa,Deputy Director Army Public Relations explained that
in the early hours of today Sunday the 16th of June 2019, troops of 29 Battalion of 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Trans National Pipelines at Gio community in Tai Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants who were hitherto prevented from vandalizing 24″ and 28″ TNP thereby putting them out of the illicit business.

The Army said unfortunately, during the ensuing fire fight one soldier and 2 personnels of the NSCDC lost their lives and their weapons (one AK 47 and 2 G3 rifles) were carted away by the assailants.

According to the statement,an immediate reinforcement by troops at the location led to the cordon and search of the general area with the view to finding any criminal believed to be harbouring within the communities.

The statement revealed that reliable intelligence led to the tracking of the prime suspect, a notorious cultist and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele Loveday who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for terrorizing communities in the state.

Consequently, at about 9:00am, troops cashing on available information sighted a white Toyota Hilux vehicle without number plate, hastily driven with 4 occupants. Efforts to stop the vehicle by troops at a check point was ignored. The gallant troops chased the speeding vehicle and caught up with the suspects around Kira Junction, along Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic.

Sensing danger, the occupants opened fire at the troops in a bid to escape

Troops reacted, and incapacitated the militants’ vehicle. As a result, the bandits abandoned their vehicle and fled to the bush. However, one of the criminals was gunned down and was identified as the wanted notorious cultists and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele – popularly known as MENE. Others with him, believed to escape with gun shot wounds – leaving trails of blood.

The following tems were recovered from the scene and in the vehicle:, 1 x K2 Rifle, 2 x Magazines loaded with 52 Rounds of 5.56mm, some personal effects, one pair of vehicle plate number KRK 95DP RIVERS and some documents.

The body and other recovered exhibits have been handed over to the NSCDC Rivers State Command for further action, while troops continue to track the remaining fleeing bandits to face justice.

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Maj Gen Jamil Sarham use this opportunity to rereaffirm the commitment of the Division in protecting lives and properties of law abiding citizens in Rivers state. He also solicits the cooperation of all stakeholders in tackling insecurity within the Niger Delta region through sharing of credible information to the security agencies.

Meanwhile the Baria-ara Kpalap led Movement for Survival of Ogoni (MOSOP)People have accused the Military of destroying houses of innocent people and sacking communities to avenge the death of their colleague.

A statement released on Sunday June 16,2019 by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface the Publicity Secretary /SpokesmMan Baria-ara Kpalap led MOSOP also condemned the alleged attack on the security personnel

READ FULL STATEMENT BY BARIA-ARA KPALAP LED MOSOP BELOW

PRELIMINARY PRESS STATEMENT BY MOSOP ON ARMY INVASION OF OGONI COMMUNITIES ON SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2019.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has received report of the alleged killing of three security personnels of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) around Gio Community in Tai Local Government Area, Ogoniland, Rivers State by suspected gangsters and cultists, carted away with their weapons.

MOSOP condemns the action of the youths and gangsters that allegedly killed the officers and personnels of the Army and Civil Defense Corps and called on the youths of Ogoniland to stop such acts against security personnels posted to Ogoniland on official duties to avoid confrontation with security personnels that would lead to the killing of innocent villagers.

Because too wrongs cannot make a right, MOSOP also condemn the invasion of Gio Community in Tai LGA and surrounding communities in Gokana LGA by Army personnels from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army on Sunday, June 16, 2019 with a view of avenging the death of their colleagues.

The MOSOP President, Baria-ara Kpalap condemns ongoing destruction of properties of innocent villagers, sporadic shootings and sacking of the communities by a combined team of Nigerian Army and NSCDC Personnels in Gio and surrounding communities. The president believes that such spontaneous reaction with gun battle is not the solution to the problem. He thus called on the Nigerian Army to halt further destructions in the communities and give way for the Police to commence investigation into the incident with a view of bringing the perpetrators of the heinous acts to book.

This is signed by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, MOSOP Publicity Secretary/Spokesman.