The confrontation between soldiers and the militants in the creeks of Niger Delta yesterday took a negative turn when no fewer than five soldiers were confirmed killed, nine others unaccounted for while another one escaped.
The attack, which took place at the Cawthorne Channel, was confirmed to THISDAY by Army Public Relations Officer, Major Musa Sagir, who said the soldiers were ambushed by the militants. He, however, did not give further details on mortality figures.
Already, the Joint Revolutionary Council, an amalgam of the different militant organisations in the Niger, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that they used the attack to prove to the soldiers that they can bite.
According to them, they had confrontations with some people who proved to be enemies and that soldiers were the victims as they had at one time or the other assaulted their people.
The attack which they called “judgment” may continue as they promised to increase the scale, �unless the Nigerian state changes its level of insincerity since each time they agree on certain terms, the government never keep to them.�
“The purpose of this celebration of ability and capability was to prove to the armed forces of the Nigerian State that we can take on them anywhere, anytime and anyhow.
“As combatants who recognise the need to respect the rule of engagement, we resisted all urge to smoothly take out all the malnourished and underpaid soldiers of the Nigerian State. However, those who felt the temptation to test our might were rewarded by the fatal venom of our bullets. This is just the beginning”, the militants boasted.
The statement which was issued online by Cynthia Whyte, on behalf of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and The Martyrs Brigade, demanded once more for the unconditional release of their leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo.
They said they would roll out the drums of war if their demands were not met on time and would not hesitate to commence action against the collective interest of the Nigerian nation.
But Sagir, who said they have sent in search and rescue team to the area of the attack, said those who were involved in the ambush were soldiers of the 2nd Brigade.
“15 soldiers on guard duty at Cawthorne Channel were ambushed by about 70 militants using many boats in a surprise attack. In the process, we sustained casualties but now I cannot give you the real figure but we have sent in search and rescue team to the area”, Sagir said.
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