There were reports of clashes between the NigerianNavy and militants in Soku, Akuku Toru LocalGovernment Area of Rivers State, the heart beat ofNigerian oil and gas in the Niger Delta where the navyclaimed to have sunk several boats used by themilitants.
However, casualty figures could not be ascertained asthe clash was said to have taken place in the nightthough sources within the navy said that at least oneof the boats used by the militants went up in flames.
The source which said they were on patrol of the Sokuarea when they ran into the attack also said thatcasualty on the part of the militants would be highsince they applied full firepower against them oncethe boats opened fire on their personnel.
THISDAY learnt that boats numbered about 30 and werefitted with Machine guns but the navy being betterequipped and ready for combat after the last attackson them in the same area had the upper hand.
Attempts to make the navy speak on record on the saidattack proved futile as they insisted that the rightpeople to speak on the matter were not on seat, addingthat the incident being a military operation was notopen to free discussions.
With the militants on the receiving end of the clash,military authorities which have put their men on alertto avoid being taken by chance in a reprisal attack.
Although some naval authorities admitted that theysank four boats of the militants which attacked themwhile on patrol, they said that they also sank severalbarges which had been used by bunkerers to siphoncrude oil.