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Military combs suspected oil thieves, militant camps in Bayelsa

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Nigerian Army on Saturday has raided suspected militant camps and depots of oil thieves in Igbomotoru and Azuzuama communities of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

According to Naija Tv, the operation was carried out by the 5 brigades of the Nigerian Army, adding that the military also combed the crude oil pipeline route along with the Obama flow station, Kolo creeks and Brass areas of the State.

A top military source who spoke with news emphasized that the operation was also targeted at tackling the operations of some known militants involved in setting up illegal bunkering camps in communities of Southern Ijaw and some other illegal activities.

However, another independent source maintained that the operation was targeted to arrest a known militant leader over his alleged shady activities but he escaped with his boys through the creeks when he was alerted about the impending military raid.

According to the report, the military destroyed a shrine allegedly used to administer oaths to youths during recruitment into the illegal bunkering activities by the suspected militant leader, narrating that many other items including Military Camouflage, Mobile phones and military boots were seized.

Meantime, the residents of the Igbomotoru community have lamented over the alleged military mission of the area thereby causing panic and desertion by indigenes over the fear of indiscriminate arrest.

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