JTF laments death of two soldiers in Bayelsa

The Joint Military Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, deployed in the Niger Delta region, has said that it was saddened by the loss of two of its personnel on Tuesday in Bayelsa State. Col. Isa Ado, spokesman of the task force, yesterday, confirmed the death of two soldiers in a gun duel with suspected kidnappers near Nembe in Bayelsa State.



According to him, details were still sketchy on the operation. He said: “The unfortunate incident happened on Tuesday morning at Ogbolomabiri-Nembe Junction, some two kilometres from Nembe, when our troops on escort duty encountered some gunmen who happened to be kidnappers. “The kidnappers attacked our soldiers and there was exchange of gunfire and we lost two of our personnel. They (suspected kidnappers) whisked away an expatriate who works for a construction firm, Setraco and fled through the waterways. “The loss of our personnel is unfortunate, and their death in the line of duty for peace in the Niger Delta is very painful.” Their supreme sacrifice can never be in vain as the Commander of operation Pulo Shield has given stern directives to apprehend the criminals to face prosecution and free the hostage.”