Oil Theft: Troops Raid Militant Camp, Capture Armoury In Bayelsa

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Troops of 5 Battalion operating under 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army have captured an armoury following a raid operation on a militant camp in the Ijaw South Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwchukwu, in a statement on Monday, explained that the suspected unrepentant militants and other individuals carried out illegal oil activities from the camp located in the Azuzuama Community.

During the operation, which took place on Sunday, June 25, “the highly motivated troops subdued the suspected militants with superior firepower, compelling them to abandon their camp in disarray”.

The raid reportedly led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs, four rocket grenade bomb chargers, seven 7.62mm special ammunition, 14 AK-47 rifle magazines and one pumping machine.

Other items recovered included two 16-inch anchored verve, one mallet hammer, one pipe range spinner and one axe. The illicit camp had been destroyed by the troops, the Army added.