Information just reaching our news us now is that Nigeria
Soldiers have suffered heavy casualties in the ongoing WAR in the Niger Delta,
code named: ‘Crocodile Smile’.
We cannot confirm the actual number of soldiers that died in
today’s confrontation with Militants in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, but
unconfirmed reports put the number at over 40. Some soldiers were also
reportedly captured in Delta state during the fierce fire fight
which lasted over two hours.
Meanwhile, the
military operation dubbed Operation Crocodile Smile suffered another major loss
on Monday following a boat accident along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local
Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, leading to the death of four soldiers
by drowning.
Also
missing are service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers.
It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10
a.m. on Monday, created panic among newly deployed soldiers.
The
State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident,
said the union had received the report on the boat incident, “but [we] don’t
have details on the number of casualties.”
Also confirming the incident, an official of Brass Local
Government Council, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development, calling
it a “natural incident.”
Attempts to get confirmation from the authorities of the Joint
Military action known as
Operation
Delta Safe (ODS) failed, as the Acting Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre,
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Otuji did not answer his calls.
Though no authority has confirmed the mission of the soldiers in
the area, it is not unconnected to the security operations against renewed
militancy, sea piracy and search for those threatening to hoist the Niger Delta
Republic flag.
An indigene of the community simply identified as Etta said that
attempts by community youths and other soldiers to assist in a rescue operation
failed as the drowned soldiers could not be found.
“In
recent times, we have been noticing increased movement of soldiers in our area.
The boat that capsized was conveying a new batch of soldiers to the water
front. I was going to dispose of refuse at the waterfront and I saw uniformed
soldiers struggling to rescue their colleagues in a capsized boat,” Etta said.
“When the confusion subsided, four soldiers were found to be
missing with their rifles and other military gear. Some others that were
rescued had their rifles missing and were struggling out of the water.”
Meanwhile the military authorities have soughed the help of
local divers and youths to assist in the search for the missing soldiers. One
of the youths confirmed that the high tide of the water is impeding the search
for the missing soldiers

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