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Nigeria: Navy Sinks Militants' Speedboats
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Vanguard (Lagos)
8 August 2008
Posted to the web 8 August 2008
Jimitota Onoyume
NO fewer than eight militants would have lost their lives in an encounter with the Navy on the water ways around Caw thorn channel on Wednesday.
Commenting on the incident, the Naval spokesman in Rivers State, Lieutenant Way Olabisi, said a Naval gun boat opened fire on three speed boats driven by the militants.
His statement to Vanguard, Wednesday night, read thus, "the naval component of the Joint Task Force operation flush out 111, on Wednesday 6 August, encountered a group of militants along cawthorne channel, Port Harcourt.
The militants, who were moving in three speed boats, opened fire on sighting the naval men who were on routine patrol. The naval gunboats, in self defense, engaged the militants in gun battle which left some militants dead. Two militants' boats were destroyed in the process.
Also, a large boat, one general purpose machine gun with large amount of ammunition and one live grenade were recovered from the hoodlums"
Meanwhile, the Navy says it has intensified its presence in the water ways and has also increased marine patrol as a means to check the criminal acts of militants and sea pirates.
Speaking at the opening of a stakeholders meeting with representatives of state governments, maritime sector and communities in Bayelsa and Rivers state , the Flag Officer commanding the eastern naval command, Rear admiral Bodunri Raji said they were now better poised for security challenges in the region
"The eastern naval command on its part is improving on the number of available platforms for patrols, which has resulted in better presence at sea.
There is also increased presence of the NN and components of the JTF in our water ways to check illegalities and improve security for legal businesses to thrive."
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He continued that illegal bunkering and crude oil theft had drastically result on the waters.
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