Rivers (Nigeria) – The Nigerian Army says at least five suspected members of the Niger Delta militants group were killed in Rivers State and a large arms recovered by troops involved in “Exercise Crocodile Smile” battle with the Militants on Friday.
Army spokesman, Sani Usman, in a statement said at least 23 of the armed militants were arrested while several others were seriously injured.
Various calibres of arms, including a speed boat, pump action guns were also recovered during the exercise, the statement noted.
“The operations which was conducted yesterday 26th August 2016, was carried out by the Special Forces at the militants camps.
“Items recovered from the camps include 2 AK-47 rifles, 11 Pump Action Guns, a locally made revolver pistol, 292 cartridges of live Ammunition, 199 rounds of AK-47 rifle Ammunition, 4 electricity generating sets and a Camp Gas Cooker.
“The troops also recovered an abandoned Engine Boat left by the fleeing criminals,” the statement reads.
confirming the incident, Premium times reported that the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, also confirmed the killing of the five militants and recovery of arms while addressing troops in Sapele, Delta on Saturday.
Burutai said apart from those killed, there were other suspects arrested when they attempted to interfere with the training conducted for formations and units in the Niger Delta.
He urged the troops to exercise professionalism in their operations and conduct as they move into the creeks for the exercise, and strive to minimize collateral damage to citizens’ lives and critical national assets located in the area.
The Army Chief urged the troops to respect the rights of members of the communities while discharging their duties, urging them not to spare any criminal found in the creeks.
He said the training was an exercise and operation geared at recovering the nation’s economic base and restoring normalcy in the region, assuring them of government’s commitment to improving the welfare of soldiers and officers.
