Barely four days after the Joint Task Force in Rivers State arrested 229 suspected militants in a raid at the waterfronts in the capital city, Port Harcourt, the organisation yesterday said it, again, arrested another set of 25 suspected militants in Eleme area of the state and seized arms and ammunitions.
The raid, THISDAY gathered was based on complaints from residents that activities were being perpetrated by certain elements illegal in the area following complaints by residents of the same area.
Confirming the raid and arrests, JTF spokesman in the state, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said the beauty of the operation was that no shot was fired and that nobody was either injured or killed in the hour-long operation.
“Following a tip-off from some residents of Eleme area of Port Harcourt city, the JTF raided a hideout of suspected hoodlums on Friday, September 26. No shot was fired throughout the one hour operation, nobody was wounded or killed.
“The following items were recovered; two AK47 rifles, one locally made double barreled pistol, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, six empty magazines and two catridges”, Sagir said.
He also said the appropriate arm of the JTF has commenced investigation to determine those culpable and to release those who are innocent and prosecute the others.
The JTF had earlier in the week raided the waterfronts in the city and arrested a number of miscreants. The military also promised to screen and ensure the safety of the law abiding citizens of the state.
Sep282008