The battle started at about 2.00 p.m. with some of the JTF gunboats also damaged.
At press time, the JTF had ordered reinforcement and more soldiers drafted to the battle zone, while villagers in a neighbouring Urhobo community to the militant camp were fleeing in droves.
Vanguard learnt that in line with the order of the Ministry of Defence to wipe out new militant camps in the Niger Delta, the JTF deployed soldiers with 12 gunboats.
It was meant to be a surprise attack but the militants who announced the formation of NDLF on Tuesday fought back when the soldiers opened fire.
A source said the militant group fought to retain the new camp.
Their leader, “General” Togo who led his men in the onslaught escaped unhurt.
Details not clear
Details of the gun battle were still not clear, last night. All a senior JTF operative told Vanguard when contacted was: “It was a serious battle, we have casualties on our side, many of our men were injured but we don’t have information yet.”
Sector Commander, JTF, Warri, Col. Jamil Sarhim, was said to have given fresh directive after being briefed by his officers that the militant camp must be destroyed. Efforts by Vanguard to speak to him failed as his mobile phone rang out.
Spokesman for the JTF, Lt.-Col. T. O. Antigha told Vanguard at about 6.40 p.m that he had not got the details of the attack.
Spokesman for the NDLF, “Captain” Mark Anthony, told Vanguard that the soldiers attacked the militant camp unexpectedly yesterday and the few fighters in camp rose up to the occasion and repelled them.
Read More:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/army-militants-in-fresh-war/
No comments:
Post a Comment