Troops of the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have repelled an ambush by suspected criminals during a routine pipeline patrol in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:05 p.m. on June 30 when troops of the 6 Division’s Combat Intelligence Battalion (CIB VIII), deployed at Ogoda Community, came under attack while conducting a pipeline security patrol.
According to the sources, the troops were ambushed by armed criminals at Olabie Community but responded with superior firepower and fought their way through the attack.
The assailants were forced to flee into the surrounding bushes under sustained pressure from the troops.
The sources said reinforcement troops from the battalion headquarters subsequently carried out exploitation of the area, leading to the recovery of one motorcycle and a mobile phone believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The recovered items are in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing criminals.
Military authorities said troops would continue aggressive patrols and clearance operations to safeguard critical national assets and deny criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta region.
By: Zagazola Makama
