Militant leader Ogunbos, yesterday denied that any of his men was killed in the shoot out with the military at Igbomotoro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, saying instead, a soldier was the only casualty.
Ogunbos, who spoke on phone confirmed the incident but said contrary to the claims by the JTF, none of his men was killed or drowned.
According to him, his convoy of boats ran into an ambush laid by JTF troops “but we were alert to see them on time to turn back. The military gave a hot pursuit, but they were out-maneuvered in the creek where we opened fire on them.”
In the ensuing battle, one of the guns in the military gun boats exploded a situation which forced the soldiers to beat a retreat and flee the area.
Ogunbos insisted that none of his men was wounded let alone killed in the battle. He challenged the JTF to bring the body of one victim to confirm their claim.
Besides, Ogunbos wondered how the JTF knew they had gone on a robbery and raping mission without confronting them while also asking the JTF to name the community they had robbed.
He urged the JTF to tell the nation the truth, saying the military formation was only hiding the fact that they lost one gunboat to the battle with him and another which was captured by Kitikata within 12 hours.
Contacted, the Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre of the JTF, Lt. Col. Rabe Abubakar, refused to pick his calls.
Apr162009